Hello! I have the autism that makes me really like clouds.
My top 3 favourite clouds are:
1. Pyrocumulus (ties into my volcano interest[see: autism])
2. Cumulonimbus (Big guy!!)
3. Mammatus (looks like boobs [funny])
Feel free to tag me in some cool clouds so I can identify them for you. Or send in some home-grown ones if you'd like. Especially if they're my favourites, or yours!
Currently, I post twice daily, and try to keep my queue stocked for at least 3 days worth, as I'm pretty busy. I try to prioritise asks, but at the moment they're being answered in about 2 days, give or take.
Also, I have a small resource list located here, and a list of what omens a cloud could be here.
Putting the tagging system under the cut.
For ease of access, I've been tagging each cloud genera, species, type, supplementary feature, accessory cloud, and special cloud separately. That way, if you want to look at a bunch of lenticularis clouds, you aren't stuck going through so many tags.
Stratus fractus and cumulus fractus are tagged separately from the rest of their genera as to more easily filter, as they're both really common.
Tags, and descriptions, are as follows:
#identifying clouds is just my name!
#not an identification is for the very few times something isn't clouds!
#cloud corrections is for when I get something wrong, and someone tells me! Please tell me if I get something wrong.
#homegrown clouds is for cloud pics I have taken myself.
#cirrus is just your classic cirrus cloud.
#cirrocumulus is really small and high-up cumulus clouds.
#cirrostratus is a hard one to get a good photo of, but it's when there's a thin sheet of cloud high in the air, often covering the whole sky, and has a much higher chance of producing halo phenomena.
#altocumulus is a medium level cumulus cloud. Really common too.
#altostratus is another hard-to-capture one, but it's a medium level grey haze that often covers the whole sky.
#nimbostratus , easily confused with other stratus clouds, is a really densely packed stratus cloud that runs from low to mid levels, and often rains.
#stratocumulus is a low level cumulus cloud, often very close together and more grey than a regular cumulus cloud.
#stratus is a very low level cloud, very fuzzy and can rain.
#cumulus is a low-to-mid white cloud. The classic cloud shape.
#cumulonimbus is THE storm cloud. If there's lightning, it's almost definitely cumulonimbus.
#fibratus is a term that applies to cirrus and cirrostratus, and it looks like hair or fibers.
#uncinus is when a cirrus cloud ends up looking like a comma. Usually there's a tuft or hook and then a tail.
#spissatus is when a cirrus cloud is really condensed and grey.
#castellanus is when a cloud has a lot of tufts that make the cloud look like _/`/__/`/_ sort of. Like the battlements of a castle tower.
#floccus is when a cloud ends up in a lot of little round shapes.
#stratiformis is when a altocumulus, stratocumulus, or cirrocumulus cloud is spread out in a massive sheet.
#nebulosus is when a stratus and cirrostratus cloud is really undefined and hazy. Often foggy-looking.
#lenticularis is when a cloud has really sharp, rounded edges and shapes to it. They've also been called "UFO clouds" which is accurate.
#cumulus fractus is when. The cumulus is broken up and looks ripped up.
#stratus fractus is when a bit of stratus cloud is ripped and broken up.
#humilis is when a cumulus cloud is really short.
#mediocris is when a cumulus cloud is average height.
#congestus is when a cumulus cloud is really tall.
#volutus is when a stratocumulus or altocumulus ends up really long and tube-shaped. They end up almost looking photoshopped in I think.
#calvus is when a cumulonimbus is not yet tall enough to develop anything fancy up top. Easily confused with cumulus congestus.
#capillatus is when a cumulonimbus has a lot of fuzzy cirrus-style shapes up top.
#intortus is a cirrus cloud that has a weird shape or pattern.
#vertebratus is a cirrus cloud that ends up looking like a vertebrae. Or a fish skeleton.
#undulatus is a cloud that is really wavy. Sometimes to the point of having distinct gaps between.
#radiatus is when clouds, especially longer shaped ones, all point at one place in the sky.
#lacunosus is when a cloud has a really webby appearance to it, or has a lot of holes. Often looks like the reverse of floccus or perlucidus.
#duplicatus is two or more clouds (or sheets of), often of the same genera, at slightly different levels and often partially fused.
#translucidus is a cloud that you can see the sun/moon though.
#opacus is a cloud you can't see the sun/moon though. Typically only used to refer to clouds that this is notable for, such as stratus, but does technically apply to others.
#perlucidus is a sheet of altocumulus or stratocumulus cloud that has very small and distinct gaps in it.
#incus is the classic cumulonimbus top shape. This is the anvil top one.
#mamma / #mammatus is the boob shaped one.
#virga is rain that never hits the ground.
#praecipitatio is rain.
#arcus is an arc-shape on the underneath of a cumulonimbus or, sometimes, a cumulus.
#tuba is a tornado, not the instrument.
#asperitas is a cloud with uber and distinct waves underneath. They look cool as hell.
#fluctus is a fan favourite, and has a very distinct wave shape on the top. Like cartoon waves.
#cavum is a oval-shaped hole in the middle of an Altocumulus, cirrocumulus or stratocumulus.
#murus is what is commonly called a wall cloud.
#cauda is a tail on a murus.
#pileus is a little round hat on top of a cloud. They look very similar to a lenticular cloud, only worn as a hat.
#velum is a pileus that sits lower on the cloud.
#pannus is when a cloud has its underneath all ripped up and ragged looking.
#flumen is a really low cloud that is attached and associated with a storm cloud, that aren't attached to and isn't a murus.
#pyrocumulus aka a flammagenitus, is a storm cloud that is made directly from a volcanic eruption or a large bushfire. They're associated with dry lightning and being really tall. I love them.
#homogenitus is a cloud formed from humans. Often found forming from factories and similar.
#contrails are when planes make clouds.
#homomutatus is a mutated contrail.
#cataractagenitus is a cloud formed directly from a waterfall.
#silvagenitus is a cloud formed directly from a forest.
#iridescence is when a cloud has a rainbow on it. Really fancy stuff!!
#cloud corrections is, as the name states, me getting corrected! I am very open to corrections and/or discussions, though I am slow to reply on a good day. I will not be mad if I get corrected, I love learning and am very talented at making mistakes.
