Clouds

Look up and read the sky like a meteorologist.

About Clouds

Clouds form when air becomes saturated and water vapor condenses onto microscopic particles. Their shapes reflect rising air, stable layers, wind, moisture, and temperature.

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Thunderstorm — ThunderstormThunderstorms form when warm moist air rises into an unstable atmosphere.

Tornado — TornadoTornadoes are rapidly rotating columns of air connected to thunderstorms.

Hurricane — HurricaneTropical cyclones are organized rotating storm systems fueled by warm ocean water.

Snowstorm — SnowstormWinter storms can combine snow, wind, cold, and low visibility.

Cumulus

Cumulus clouds look like puffy heaps.

Stratus

Stratus clouds form broad low layers.

Cirrus

Cirrus clouds form high in the troposphere and are made mainly of ice crystals.

Cumulonimbus

Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorms.

Middle Clouds

Altostratus and altocumulus occupy middle levels.

Cloud Droplets

Cloud droplets are extremely small.

Cloud Base

Cloud base height depends partly on humidity and temperature.

Forecast Clues

Changing cloud patterns can reveal changing weather.

Cumulus

Small fair-weather cumulus clouds form in rising bubbles of warm air.

Stratus

They can produce gray skies, mist, drizzle, or light precipitation.

Cirrus

They can appear long before an approaching weather system.

Cumulonimbus

Strong updrafts can build towers reaching near the top of the troposphere.

Middle Clouds

They can signal moisture spreading ahead of a storm system.

Cloud Droplets

They can remain suspended until collision, freezing, or ice processes create larger precipitation particles.

Cloud Base

When rising air cools to its dew point, condensation begins.

Forecast Clues

Meteorologists combine clouds with radar, satellite, pressure, wind, and model data rather than relying on clouds alone.