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Clouds What are clouds? A cloud is made up of tiny water droplets and they form when water vapor in the air becomes liquid water or ice crystals. What do clouds tell us? The presence of clouds in the sky is one type of signal to meteorologists that there will be changes in the weather. How do they form? Clouds form whenever air is cooled to its dew point and particles are present Identifying Clouds Meteorologists identify clouds based on five basic cloud characteristics: 1. The altitude at which they occur 2. Color 3. Density 4. Shape 5. Degree of cover. From this information, we can identify three basic cloud types and seven other common cloud types. Three main types: • Cumulus • Stratus • Cirrus Cumulus Fluffy clouds indicating fair weather Cumulus or fluffy clouds form when air is forced up rapidly and therefore rises higher Puffy white or light gray clouds that look like floating cotton balls. Cumulus clouds have sharp outlines and a flat base. Cumulonimbus Often produce thunderstorms Can grow up to 10km high. High winds make the top of the cloud flat. Cumulonimbus clouds can produce heavy rain, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. Clouds with Vertical Development Cumulus and Cumulonimbus (surface to 13,000 m) The clouds develop by warm air rising from the surface. Cumulus and Cumulonimbus clouds provide the most interesting and severe weather to our planet. cumulonimbus Altocumulus (middle 2,000 to 7, 000 m) Middle clouds are made of ice crystals and water droplets. They are grayish-white with one part of the cloud darker than the other. Usually form in groups. If you see altocumulus clouds on a warm sticky morning, then expect thunderstorms by late afternoon. Stratus low surface to 2000 m Clouds that form in flat layers Stratus, Nimbostratus and Stratocumulus Low clouds are made up of water droplets. Stratus clouds are formed when air is forced up slowly. The base of a low cloud is from the ground to 2000 m. Nimbostratus As stratus clouds thicken, they may produce drizzle, rain, or snow. Altostratus (middle 2,000 to 7, 000 m) Middle clouds are made of ice crystals and water droplets. An altostratus cloud usually covers the whole sky. The cloud looks gray or blue-gray. Usually forms ahead of storms that have a lot of rain or snow. Sometimes, rain will fall from an altostratus cloud. Stratocumulus: •Groups of dense, puffy clouds that cover the sky in dark heavy masses, long and gray. They often form in bands across the sky. Cirrus (high 5000-16,000 m) Wispy, feathery clouds made mostly of ice crystals • Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict fair weather and point in the direction of air movement . •Cirrus clouds are the first sign of an approaching storm. They are the highest of all the clouds. Cirrocumulus Look like rows of cotton balls which indicate a storm is on its way Cirrocumulus are usually white, but sometimes appear gray. Cirrocumulus are usually seen in the winter time and mean that there will be fair, but cold weather. Cirrostratus Sheet - like thin clouds that usually cover the entire sky. Cirrostratus clouds usually come 12-24 hours before a rain or snow storm Fog Clouds that form at or near the ground Cloud Type by Rain Nimbus – any cloud that rains Cumulonimbus taller, towering versions of cumulus clouds. Their height can be from two to five miles. These clouds often form thunderstorms. Nimbostratus: low, flat, dark gray clouds that are associated with steady precipitation and occur in thick, continuous layers. Cumulonimbus Clouds as seen from Apollo 8