Clouds

Cumulonimbus clouds can reach heights of up to 50,000 to 60,000 feet (15,000 to 18,000 meters) in the atmosphere. These towering clouds are associated with thunderstorms and can extend into the troposphere and even reach the stratosphere.

A large cloud of gas and dust in space is called a nebula. These nebulae are often the birthplaces of stars and planets, with various types such as emission, reflection, and dark nebulae.

Clouds drift like a boat drifts on the sea. Think of the sky as an invisible sea of air. The air is moving in one direction and so the clouds that lie on the current drift or move in that direction.

The 5 different types of clouds are cirrus (wispy and high-altitude), cumulus (fluffy and white with flat bases), stratus (layered and gray), nimbus (dark and rain-bearing), and cumulonimbus (towering with potential for thunderstorms).

When air near the ground cools, it can cause the cloud to descend. This can happen due to temperature changes, winds carrying the cloud lower, or the cloud growing larger and heavier. Under specific atmospheric conditions, clouds can descend towards the ground, leading to phenomena like fog.

Rain forms when water droplets in clouds combine and grow large enough to fall to the ground. These water droplets typically come from condensation of water vapor in the air, which collects in the clouds and eventually falls as rain when the droplets become heavy enough.

Stratus clouds are low-lying clouds that appear gray and featureless. They often cover the sky like a blanket and are typically found in stable, overcast conditions.

A rain cloud is formed when warm, moist air rises and cools, causing water vapor to condense into water droplets. These droplets eventually become heavy enough to fall as rain. The process is enhanced by particles like dust or pollution, which serve as nuclei for the droplets to form around.

Stratus clouds typically produce light, continuous precipitation such as drizzle or light rain. This is because they have a larger horizontal extent and lower cloud base compared to other cloud types, allowing for a more widespread and prolonged release of moisture.

As air moves up a mountain slope, it cools adiabatically causing the air to reach its dew point temperature and condense into water droplets, forming clouds. This process is known as orographic lifting.

Water vapor condenses on a mirror because the mirror’s surface is cooler than the surrounding air, causing the water vapor in the air to lose heat and transform into liquid droplets on the mirror's surface. This happens due to the process of condensation, where the water vapor transitions from a gas to a liquid state.

Yes, water vapor can condense on trees when the temperature of the tree surface is cooler than the dew point temperature of the air. This can happen during cool nights or when trees are shaded from the sun. The condensed water droplets appear as dew on the tree's surface.

Not necessarily. The word stratus means layered. If the stratus clouds are low enough they can result in ground fog. Stratus clouds can also produce a light, but steady rain or snow.

Stratus clouds are typically white or gray in color, appearing as a uniform, featureless layer covering the sky. The color can vary depending on the time of day and the atmospheric conditions, with darker gray tones indicating thicker clouds and potential precipitation.

Tornadoes are formed by rotating air within a supercell thunderstorm. The rotating air may initially be present in the form of a funnel cloud, which is a rotating, cone-shaped cloud that does not reach the ground. If the funnel cloud extends to the ground, it is then classified as a tornado.

global winds are created by the unequal heating of earths surface. when the sun is at an angle, like in the poles, where it covers a large area, it heats less. then winds blow from the equator to the north pole and creates global winds.

Clouds are simply very small water droplets suspended in air.

You bet. Condensation builds up from precipitation to form these clouds.

Cloud formation is primarily influenced by temperature and air pressure. As warm air rises and cools, it reaches its dew point, causing condensation to form clouds. Rainfall can also be a result of this condensation process within clouds.

A stratiform volcano is a type of volcano that is characterized by layers of lava flow that have gradually built up over time. These volcanoes tend to have broad, flat shapes with gentle slopes. They are typically associated with non-explosive eruptions that result in the slow extrusion of lava.

Altocumulus and altostratus are the two cloud forms found in the middle cloud family. Altocumulus clouds are white or gray with rounded masses, while altostratus clouds are thin and gray, often covering the entire sky and causing diffuse light.

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air extending downward from a cloud but not touching the ground. It is typically associated with a rotating storm or thunderstorm, such as a tornado. If a funnel cloud reaches the ground, it becomes a tornado.

A funnel cloud may be called a condensation funnel or simply a funnel.

Dew is the water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air.