source: lmdz_wrf/trunk/tools/wmo_0515.code @ 2343

reference|http://artefacts.ceda.ac.uk/badc_datadocs/surface/code.html
short_description|Medium cloud type
wmo_code|0515
long_description|Clouds of the genera Altocumulus, Altostratus, etc.
codeTYPE|S
@| Values
/|altocumulus, altostratus and nimbostratus invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust, sand, or other phenomena; or because of the presence of a continuous layer of lower clouds
0|no altocumulus, altostratus or nimbostratus
1|altostratus, the greater part of which is semi-transparent; through this part the sun or moon may be weakly visible, as through ground glass
2|altostratus, the greater part of which is sufficiently dense to hide the sun or moon, or nimbostratus
3|altocumulus, the greater part of which is semi-transparent; the various elements of the cloud change only slowly and are all at a single level
4|patches (often in the form of almonds or fish) of altocumulus, the greater part of which is semi-transparent; the clouds occur at one or more levels and the elements are continually changing in appearance
5|semi-transparent altocumulus in bands, or altocumulus, in one or more continuous layer (semi-transparent or opaque), progressively invading the sky; these generally thicken as a whole
6|altocumulus resulting from the spreading out of cumulus or cumulonimbus
7|altocumulus in two or more layers, usually opaque in places, and not progressively invading the sky; or opaque layer of altocumulus,not progressively invading the sky; or altocumulus together with altostratus or nimbostratus
8|altocumulus with sproutings in the form of small towers or battlements, or altocumulus having the appearance of cumuliform tufts
9|altocumulus of a chaotic sky, generally at several levels