A look at different cloud types and how to handle them as a pilot

Photo credit Divinity PriceClouds can tell a pilot a lot about the atmosphere and current weather conditions. As a private pilot, you are taught to avoid them, and as an instrument pilot, you are taught to observe them and analyze the trends the clouds are predicting. High clouds, low clouds, dangerous clouds or snow clouds - we've got you covered. Let's explore a few different types of clouds, where you will see them, and what to expect when flying.What is a cloud? A cloud forms when condensation nuclei and saturated air turn into visible moisture. Once the air is cooled, it reaches its saturation point which then attaches to some kind of nuclei particle such as dust, smoke or salt. Cloud Height Classification - Stratus Clouds To classify a cloud, its height is an identifiable characteristic. Their bases can be measured as low, middle or high clouds, as well as clouds with vertical development. Low clouds have an extension up to 6500 feet AGL and are formed usually near the Earth's surface. Fog is also another category of low-level clouds. They predominantly consist of water droplets. The formal name for them is stratus clouds.Depending upon if you are flying VFR or IFR, it can greatly affect visibility and your go or no-go decisions as a pilot. These clouds often can come with lower visibility and in freezing conditions supercooled water droplets result in clear icing. Due to a lack of vertical development on many stratus clouds, not including nimbostratus clouds, they are often very smooth to fly through.Alto CloudsMiddle clouds, also known as alto clouds, extend from 6500 feet AGL up to 20,000 feet AGL. Depending upon the altitude where you encounter these clouds, they are a composite of ice crystals, supercooled water droplets or liquid water. Most private pilots fly well below 6500 feet for most VFR cross countries. If you were to encounter altocumulus, or altostratus clouds during your flight you could expect turbulence and modern icing in the freezing conditions. The question to remember is, how well do the clouds resist vertical development? The unstable air and updraft will create moderate turbulence, making your flight quite unpleasant.Cirrus CloudsHigh clouds, also known as cirrus clouds, form above 20,000 feet AGL and are usually created in stable air. They are made up of ice crystals and do not pose a real threat of turbulence or structural aircraft icing.What type of cloud is that?Sometimes, by simply looking at different cloud formations you can predict weather conditions. For example, take a look at this cloud formation below. As you see, they are very puffy and bumpy in shape, indicating severe turbulence. These are Mammatus Clouds. Photo credit Divinity PriceLet's take a look at another formation. The photo below shows clouds in a wave formation. Upper atmospheric winds are so strong that it's creating a wave-like formation through the clouds. These are called wave clouds. Photo credit Divinity PriceLastly, this example. The towering formation on these clouds shows extensive vertical development with cumulus cloud formation. These clouds are very dangerous as they extend through the stratus, alto, and cirrus cloud heights. These types of clouds, often develop in two severe thunderstorms with a threat of hail, lightning, microbursts, severe turbulence, etc. The reason you wish to understand all cloud classes as a pilot is that you will experience extreme ups and downs that could exceed greater than 3000 fpm. Photo credit Divinity PriceHandling clouds all depends upon the Earth's uneven heat exchange and the variable pressure differentials present. There is the air saturation point and the cloud's ability to resist vertical motion. Can you safely maintain at or below maneuvering airspeed and mitigate risks? Cumulonimbus clouds, towering clouds, Mammatus Clouds, all of these you do not want to put yourself in a situation to handle them but wisely avoid them.