Description & Characteristics. With cataracta translated from latin meaning waterfall and genitus translated from latin mean created from, the ‘cataractagenitus’ cloud formation is found as stratus and sometimes cumulus cloud types and describes a cloud that forms from the spray of a waterfall. The proper cloud classification abbreviation for this cloud type is ‘Cu cagen’ and ‘St cagen’.

The cataractagenitus cloud that is more commonly found as a stratus or stratus fractus cloud type, but can occasionally found as a cumulus cloud type. More often than not, you’ll need more than a trickle to see one: a larger waterfall is a key ingredient to spotting this cloud formation. Trip to Niagara falls, anyone?