Multicloud skies

[Eric Rietzschel]

Sometimes there’s so many different clouds to see simultaneously. This might be an interesting addition for the Cloudspotter app: the multicloud sky. Perhaps something for a badge, when identifying at least, say, 4 different cloud types and/or optic phenomena in one spotting. Or something like that. Then again, it may be difficult to capture such skies without making use of the Panorama function of the camera or using an add-on lens.

[Eric Rietzschel]

[Marsha Smithhisler]

Sounds like a great idea, Eric.

[Howard Brown]

Eric, your Multicloud skies sound to me akin to the cloud classification CM=9, Chaotic sky

https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/cm-9.html

But I guess Gavin Pretor-Pinney and his publisher for The Cloud Collector’s Handbook made a conscious decision not to involve the cloud classification code figures CL, CM, CH for low, medium and high clouds, perhaps for simplicity to engage a wider public.

Rival author Richard Hamblyn (also a CAS member) does use the codes in some of his books.

N.B.  The old ICA Vol II, a book of pictures, gave the code figures beneath each picture. The three pictures of a Chaotic sky gave respectively

CL=1, CM=9, CH=8

CL=0, CM=9, CH=0

CL=3, CM=9, CH=2

[Eric Rietzschel]

Thanks, Hygge!

[Howard Brown]

Cloud Types, 1982

Eric, page 13 of this PDF gives a Pictorial Guide to mid-level clouds CM: Ac – As – Ns. CM9 Chaotic sky is at the top right of page 13, while CM9 is described on page 16

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/mohippo/pdf/r/i/cloud_types_for_observers.pdf

[Gavin Pretor-Pinney]

Thanks for this suggestion, Eric. We’ll bear it in mind when we next consider additions to the CloudSpotter app!

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