International Cloud Atlas

reference work

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June 29, 2026

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The International Cloud Atlas is a reference work published by the World Meteorological Organization. The first edition was released in 1896, with subsequent revisions in 1932, 1939, and a significant update in 1956. This atlas classifies clouds into 10 main genera based on their altitude and appearance, further subdividing them into species and varieties. These classifications are grounded in the physical processes of cloud formation, which involve atmospheric humidity, condensation of water vapor onto particles, and air movement. The atlas is crucial for meteorologists and aids in weather forecasting.12

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The first International Cloud Atlas was published in 1896. Developments in aviation during World War I stimulated interest in cloud formations and in their importance as an aid in short-range weather forecasting. This led to the publication of a more extensive atlas, the International Atlas of Clouds…
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The first International Cloud Atlas was published in 1896. Developments in aviation during World War I stimulated interest in cloud formations and in their importance as an aid in short-range weather forecasting. This led to the publication of a more extensive atlas, the International Atlas of Clouds…
Read More