Clouds

Studying clouds is crucial in weather prediction, geography and meteorology. Clouds are very helpful in understanding the weather condition. And different types of clouds indicate different weather conditions. Having the basic knowledge of the cloud can help you understand what kind of weather is occurring in a particular place.

Therefore, the study of clouds comprises various topics like the creation of clouds, different kinds of clouds etc. 

Here, we will discuss different aspects of clouds, like how they form. And what are the types? Also, how does the cloud help to understand weather? 

What is a cloud?

Clouds can be seen in the sky as a visible mass of ice crystals or tiny water drops formed from condensed water vapour present in the atmosphere. They are usually visible above a specific height on the earth’s surface. They are classified as per their shape and height. The different names of clouds are derived from Latin. The Clouds can be dark and heavy or white and light. 

Formation of clouds

The cycle of rain plays a pivotal role in the formation of clouds. Increased temperature elevates humidity levels, which causes water to transform from its liquid form to gaseous form through evaporation and transpiration. Water gets evaporated from water bodies like lakes, oceans, rivers and surfaces of the earth like soil rich in water content and leaves of plants.

 As the water vapour fills the air or gets saturated, it forms a cloud. Cool air cannot hold much water vapour like hot air. And as the cloud rises in the air, it begins to cool down, and condensation starts, creating large droplets of water that fall as rain or precipitation on the earth’s surface.

Types of clouds

Clouds are categorised according to their shape, colour, size and density. Different types of clouds help in predicting different kinds of weather. Here are some major types of cloud:

• Stratus Cloud – These types of clouds occur at a low level. They are generally low lining clouds with dark grey and white. The heavy fog close to the earth’s surface is an example of a Stratus Cloud
• Stratocumulus clouds – Stratocumulus are the small sponge and circular shapes of countless cloud waves. These kinds of clouds indicate light showers and snowfall
• Nimbostratus Cloud – Nimbostratus clouds are multi-layered with grey or black colour. They mostly appear 6000ft high from the earth’s surface. Nimbostratus can bring continuous rain and snowfall
• Altocumulus Cloud – Altostratus Clouds look like the wool of circular shapes with dark shades of grey and create a mackerel sky
• Altostratus Cloud – Altostratus clouds look like thin sheets with grey or bluish-green colour. And the sun can be seen through it depending on the thickness of the cloud. As much as the cloud is thick, the transparency reduces simultaneously
• Cirrus Cloud – Cirrus clouds are the feather-shaped thin form of clouds made with pure ice crystals. They are also known as mare’s tails due to their shape. Cirrus indicates fine and clear weather
• Cirrocumulus Cloud – cirrocumulus clouds look like good patches and create a mackerel sky. They are mostly white and grey. Also, these cirrocumulus are made of ice crystals and chilled water droplets
• Cirrostratus Cloud – Cirrostratus clouds are made of ice crystals and look like a thin sheet. And a halo creates when the sunbeams go through these clouds
• Cumulus Cloud – Small puffy cotton shaped cumulus Cloud indicates fine weather. They generally appear horizontally and have a small vertical height
• Cumulonimbus Cloud – Cumulonimbus clouds are large vertical clouds that are thick and mostly black and grey. This Cumulonimbus indicates a heavy rainfall, sometimes accompanied by storms or thunderstorms

What is cloud cover?

Layers of clouds covering the sky are called cloud cover. Cloud covers cannot be measured, but they can be seen in units called oktas. One okta represents one-eighth of the sky covered with clouds. Cloud covers are visible worldwide, but it varies from place to place depending on the characteristics of landscape, humidity and wind of that specific location.

Conclusion

Cloud forms due to the high levels of humidity and exerts a great impact on the earth’s weather. Different forms of cloud suggest different weather conditions. Some clouds bring precipitation or rainfall. But others usually create storms that contain current and therefore produce thunderbolts and electricity. Electrical fields are formed within a cloud when positively and negatively charged particles interact, which creates electricity. Thunder is usually accompanied by a sound called a sonic shock wave.