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Sounding Clouds

Vocalizing the contour of the clouds. What sounds correspond with the cloud formations of the New Mexican desert? Amateur and professional singers vocalize the contour of cloud formations of New Mexico.

Types of clouds

Cirrus (Ci) – Wispy, feathery ice-crystal clouds high up.
Cirrostratus (Cs) – Thin sheets that often cause halos.
Cirrocumulus (Cc) – High, rippled patches (“mackerel sky”).
Altostratus (As) – Mid-level gray veil, sun dimly visible.
Altocumulus (Ac) – Puffy, mid-level white/gray patches.
Nimbostratus (Ns) – Thick, dark, steady-rain clouds.
Stratus (St) – Low, uniform gray layer, like fog lifted off the ground.
Stratocumulus (Sc) – Lumpy, widespread clouds; “popcorn” sky.
Cumulus (Cu) – Fair-weather, cottony clouds with flat bases.
Cumulonimbus (Cb) – Towering thunderclouds, lightning, hail, drama.

Clouds of New Mexico

fibratus – fibrous, hairlike (often Cirrus)
uncinus – hooked or comma-shaped tips (Cirrus uncinus = “mares’ tails”)
spissatus – dense Cirrus often from dissipating storms
castellanus – turreted, castle-like tops (Altocumulus castellanus = summer storm warning)
floccus – small tufts with trailing wisps
stratiformis – spread out in layers
lenticularis – lens-shaped UFO-like clouds, common near mountains
congestus – towering cumulus, pre-thunderstorm
fractus – ragged, shredded edges (often under rain clouds)
mediocris – modestly developed cumulus (your average fair-weather friend)
humilis – low, flat cumulus that don’t grow tall
calvus – puffy cumulus starting to lose their crisp top before becoming cumulonimbus

Cloud patterns

translucidus – thin enough to let sunlight through
opacus – thick and dark, blocking the sun
undulatus – wavy, ripple-like patterns (common with wind shear)
radiatus – parallel cloud bands stretching toward the horizon
duplicatus – multiple layers stacked
lacunosus – honeycombed or holed texture (rare but striking)
perlucidus – small gaps letting bits of blue sky peek through
vertebratus – shaped like fish bones (a Cirrus specialty)

Sante Fe sightings

Altocumulus castellanus – summer “castles in the sky” that signal afternoon storms
Lenticularis over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains like smooth, flying saucers
Cumulonimbus calvus in the monsoon season
Cirrus uncinus trailing across clear winter skies

Sketch of vocalizing a cloud