The Prefix cirro- doesn't specifically mean "high". It means "related to cirrus clouds," which happen to be very high level clouds.
The word cirrus comes from the Latin of the same, meaning "a curl or lock of hair". The clouds were named such because of their resemblance to locks of hair.
Clouds have different prefixes based on their altitude and appearance. Alto- clouds are mid-level clouds, cirro- clouds are high-level clouds, and nimbo- clouds are associated with precipitation. This classification helps meteorologists communicate more precisely about the characteristics of different cloud types.
Cloud classification is based on the height above the ground as well as the appearance or texture of the cloud. The names of the cloud roots according to this system are cirro, alto, strato, nimbo and cumulo.
A prefix for clouds at middle altitudes is "alto-". This prefix is used to indicate clouds that form between approximately 6,500 and 20,000 feet above ground level.
The prefix for low-level clouds is "strato-." Low-level clouds typically form at altitudes below 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) and include types such as stratus and stratocumulus. These clouds are generally characterized by their uniform appearance and can often bring overcast skies and light precipitation.
Noctilucent clouds are the highest and least understood. Cirrus and cirrostratus are the high-type clouds. Any high cloud will have the prefix "cirr".
Stratus or strato = flat/layered and smooth Cumulus or cumulo = heaped up/puffy, like cauliflower Cirrus or cirro = High up/wispy Alto = Medium level Nimbus or Nimbo = Rain-bearing cloud
Stratus or strato = flat/layered and smooth Cumulus or cumulo = heaped up/puffy, like cauliflower Cirrus or cirro = High up/wispy Alto = Medium level Nimbus or Nimbo = Rain-bearing cloud
Well there are actually 9 international cloud types. There are some on-line cloud charts available if you do a search. The meaning of cirrus or the prefix cirro means high clouds up around 25,000 ft. Alto or middle clouds areb from 7000 to 15,000 ft, while cumulus cloud bases or any low cloud without a prefix range from 100 ft to 6000 ft. The suffix stratus refers to smooth topped, while cumulus are lumpy on top. OK from the top down 1. cirrus 2. cirrostratus 3. cirrocumulus 4. altocumulus 5. altostratus 6. stratocumulus 7. stratus 8. cumulus 9 cumulonimbus - nimbus as a suffix means rain if falling from the cloud. altostratus or stratus producing rain are often referred to as nimbostratus.
All clouds are diffiened into four layers as follows- low level clouds-stratus, stratocumulus,nimbostratus and fog(really low stratus) medium level clouds-altocumulus,altostratus high level clouds-cirrocumulus,cirrostratus and cirrus. many level clouds- these are usually convective clouds like cumulonimbuses. stratocumulus for A+
Clouds with the prefix of 'alto' are middle level clouds between 6500 and 23,000 feet. The two alto clouds are altocumulus and altostratus and these types of clouds usually bring precipitation from rain.
The middle-level medium-sized puffy clouds you are referring to are likely altocumulus clouds. These clouds typically form between 2,000 and 7,000 meters (6,500 to 23,000 feet) in altitude and are characterized by a white or gray appearance with a fluffy texture. Altocumulus clouds often indicate stable atmospheric conditions and can signal changes in weather, especially if they appear in a mackerel sky formation.
high clouds means there will be good weather and low clouds mean stormy weather