An updated Atlas and for the first time on the Internet
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has just published the new digital edition of the International Cloud Atlas. This reference work was first published at the end of the 19th century and contains a detailed manual of standards, as well as numerous photographs of clouds and other weather phenomena. The last update was in 1987 and for the first time, this worldwide reference "tool" for cloud observation and identification is available through a web portal.
The result is a much richer content and a more user-friendly presentation. It is possible that a paper version of the Atlas will come later.
This new Atlas features hundreds of images sent in by meteorologists, photographers and cloud enthusiasts from around the world.
"The International Cloud Atlas is the only comprehensive and authoritative source for cloud identification. A mythical reference for amateurs, it is used for training professionals in the meteorological services, as well as in sectors such as aviation and maritime transport "said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.
"The Atlas is the ultimate reference for the observation and classification of clouds and other weather phenomena. It contains photos, definitions and explanations that are accepted and used by all 191 WMO Member countries and territories." said Bertrand Calpini, President of the WMO Commission on Instruments and Methods of Observation (CIMO), which has been charged with overseeing the revision process.
"This new edition brings together, for the first time, all types of measurements, including observations from space and from the surface, in situ and by remote sensing, using ultra-sophisticated technologies, giving us a revolutionary tool for understanding clouds." said Mr. Calpini.
The Volutus © Joanne Kelly
New categories of clouds
There are also new categories of clouds, including volutus (roll cloud), clouds caused by human activities (homogenitus) such as condensation trails sometimes produced by aircraft, or new features such as asperitas, a spectacular wavy cloud, which has fired the imagination of the public. There will also be illustrations of meteorological phenomena such as rainbows, halos, swirls of snow or hailstones.
The flumen © Steve Willington
A new ancillary cloud has also been added, the flumen, associated with convective thunderstorms or five special clouds: cataractagenitus, flammagenitus, homogenitus, silvagenitus and homomutatus.
