Clouds
Clouds have a big influence on weather. They are a necessary precursor of precipitation, although not all of them
produce precipitation. Clouds also prevent some solar radiation from reaching the ground and absorb some of the
heat that is re-radiated from the surface. As a result, cloudy days are likely to be cooler and cloudy nights warmer
than clear days and nights.
Water vapor condenses out of the air when the temperature reaches the dew point. Air may reach its dew point
when humidity increases or air temperature decreases. The latter commonly happens when warm, moist air rises.
For clouds to form, water vapor must condense around tiny particles called nuclei (singular, nucleus). A nucleus
might be a speck of dust or smoke, or it might be a salt crystal. The condensation of many water molecules around
a nucleus forms a tiny droplet of liquid water. If billions of these water droplets come together, they make a cloud.
Clouds are classified in several ways. The most common classification used today divides clouds into groups based on altitude
• Middle clouds form at middle altitudes and consist of ice crystals, water droplets, or both. Examples of middle
clouds include altocumulus and altostratus clouds.
• Low clouds form at low altitudes and consist entirely or mainly of water droplets. Examples of low clouds
include stratus, stratocumulus, and nimbostratus clouds.
• Vertical clouds grow upward and have their bases at low altitude and their tops at middle or high altitude.
They form when strong air currents carry warm air upward. Examples of vertical clouds include cumulus and
nimbocumulus clouds.
Questions
1. How do clouds influence weather?
2. Explain how clouds form.
3. Outline how clouds are classified by altitude
