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Clouds
A cloud is a visible body of very fine water droplets or ice particles suspended in the atmosphere at altitudes up to several miles above sea level. They are generally produced by the condensation of water vapor. Other clouds, less commonly seen, are composed of smokes or dusts.
10,186 Questions
Where did the cumulus cloud get it's name?
The name is taken from Latin 'cumulo' meaning 'heap or pile'. Such clouds are cotton like in appearance and have flat bases
Why is radar not useful in tracking clouds?
Clouds are formed from water vapour - which is virtually invisible to radar.
Which clouds are best associated with a thunderstorm?
Cumulonimbus
These clouds are sometimes referred to as thunderheads. Cumulonimbus are capable of producing lightning and other dangerous severe weather, such as tornadoes.
Red Cloud's War (1866-1868) was a conflict between the Lakota Sioux and the United States government over control of the Powder River Country in present-day Wyoming and Montana. The war was named after the Lakota chief Red Cloud, who successfully led his warriors in a series of ambushes against U.S. military forces, particularly targeting supply routes and forts. The conflict culminated in the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, which recognized Lakota territory and effectively ended U.S. expansion into the region for a time. However, tensions persisted, leading to further conflicts in the following years.
How long do water droplets stay in clouds?
Water droplets can remain in clouds for varying lengths of time, typically from minutes to several hours. The duration depends on factors such as the cloud type, atmospheric conditions, and the processes of evaporation and precipitation. In some cases, droplets can be suspended in the cloud for longer periods before eventually coalescing and falling as precipitation.
What is cloud seeding and is it effective?
Cloud seeding - is dropping quantities of microscopic particles into the upper atmosphere - with the intention that water molecules will 'stick' to the particles - and thus create rain.
What will the weather be like if the sky has cumulus clouds?
Stormy; thunder, lightning and rain possible if the clouds gather together.
Why has water vapour decreased over time?
Water vapor levels can fluctuate due to various factors, including changes in climate, temperature, and atmospheric conditions. Over time, human activities, such as industrialization and deforestation, have contributed to alterations in local and global climates, impacting evaporation rates and humidity levels. Additionally, the warming climate may lead to changes in weather patterns, which can affect the distribution and amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. Overall, while water vapor is a greenhouse gas and plays a crucial role in the climate system, its concentrations can vary based on numerous environmental influences.
Ultimately - the Sun. The sun warms the atmosphere facing towards it. This reduces the air pressure, and cooler air moves in to equalise the pressure. This creates what we feel as wind.
What are massive ice formations that begin at high altitudes?
Massive ice formations that begin at high altitudes are typically known as glaciers. These glaciers form from the accumulation and compaction of snow over time, gradually transforming into dense ice as layers build up. They flow slowly down valleys due to gravity, shaping the landscape and contributing to various geological processes. Glaciers are vital indicators of climate change, as their size and movement can reflect changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.
What is the size of a attocumulus cloud?
Altocumulus clouds typically form at altitudes between 2,000 and 7,000 meters (6,500 to 23,000 feet) and can vary in size and shape. Individual cloud elements can range from a few hundred meters to several kilometers in width. They often appear as white or gray patches, with a layered or wavy appearance. Overall, their size is variable, depending on atmospheric conditions.
What cumulonimbus cloud forms from a tornado?
None do. It is the other way around. Tornadoes form from cumulonimbus clouds.
What decides what cloud will form?
Clouds form when the invisible water vapor in the air condenses into visible water droplets or ice crystals. There is water around us all the time in the form of tiny gas particles, also known as water vapor. There are also tiny particles floating around in the air - such as salt and dust - these are called aerosols.
Is there any dangerous weather that fog brings?
Fog itself is dangerous. The reduced visibility cab=n cause vehicles to crash.
Where does the energy from water vapor go?
The energy from water vapor can be released through condensation, where the vapor turns into liquid water and releases heat. This process can contribute to cloud formation, rain, or snow, helping to maintain Earth's water cycle.
What are the 4 cooling methods for clouds?
Clouds form when the water vapor condenses into small particles. The particles in clouds can either be liquid or solids. Liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere are referred to as cloud droplets and the solid particles are often called ice crystals. The potential for cloud formation (and precipitation) depends on the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. As a parcel of air rises, the moisture it contains cools and condenses out onto small particles of dust called cloud condensation nuclei until a cloud forms.
As a volume of unsaturated air cools, its relative humidity increases. If sufficiently cooled, the relative humidity becomes 100%, the temperature equals the dew point. Here's a fun hands-on activity (applet) to help you explore the relationship between temperature, dew point temperature and relative humidity.
Lifting of AirLifting, also referred to as adiabatic cooling, is the most common method of humidification of air to form clouds. As air rises it expands because pressure decreases with altitude. Kinetic energy is converted to potential energy and the parcel temperature decreases, and the relative humidity increases.
The two main large scale lifting processes that result in cloud formation are convection and advection of air. Convection refers to air rising vertically in the atmosphere due to heating. Advection is the horizontal transfer of air that usually results in warmer air being forced up over cooler air. Both advection and convection results in the formation of clouds.
The method of vertical lifting (orographic, convective, convergence, or frontal) and the stability of the atmosphere determines the type of cloud. Cumulus clouds tend to form in unstable atmospheres. Layered cloudsform in more stable environments in which large layers of air are slowly lifted.
Cloud's RoleClouds play a crucial role in our global climate. Clouds reflect shortwave solar energy back into space and tend to cool the earth. On the other hand, clouds absorb longwave terrestrial radiation and warm the planet. Satellites are helping scientists study this important dynamic.
What causes cumulonimbus to appear dark?
Cumulonimbus clouds are very tall and so block out quite a bit of sunlight, causing them to appear dark when viewed from below.
