Clouds

Clouds

Clouds
⇒ Clouds are defined as aggregates of innumerable tiny water droplets, ice particles or mixture of both in the air generally much above the ground surface. They play a vital role in the heat budget of the earth. Based on the average height, clouds are classified into:
1. High Clouds (Height: 42,500 ft. to 16,500 ft or 13 to 5 km, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Cirrus Clouds: The high altitude detached clouds having fibrous (Chain like) or silky appearance are called cirrus clouds. They are composed of tiny crystals. Therefore, they do not cause rain fall. These clouds are indicator of cyclones.
Cirrocumulus: These are white coloured clouds having patches of small white flakes or small globules which are arranged in distinct groups or wave like form. They generally appear as ripples similar to sand particles in the desert.
Cirrostratus Clouds: These clouds are generally white in colour and spread in the sky like milky thin sheets. In fact, cirrostratus is a thin veil of cirrus clouds. These are transparent clouds and create halo around the sun and the moon. These clouds are seen just after the cirrus cloud at the onset of cyclone. In this way, they also indicate the arrival of a cyclone in the near future.
2. Middle Clouds (Height: 23,000 ft. to 6,500 ft. or 7 km to 2 km.)
Altostratus Clouds: These are thin sheets of grey or blue clouds having fibrous or uniform appearance. When they become thick sheets, the Sun and Moon are obscured and they appear as bright spots behind the clouds. They yield widespread and continuous precipitation.
Altocumulus Clouds: These clouds are characterized by white and grey wavy layers or globular forms. They form fairly regular patterns of lines, group or waves. High globular groups of altocumulus are sometimes called as Sheep clouds or Wool pach clouds.
3. Low clouds (Height: 6,500 ft to zero (0) feet or 2 km to 0 km)
Stratus Clouds: These are dense, low lying fog-like clouds of dark grey colour, close to the ground surface. They are composed of several uniform layers. These clouds are formed in the subtropical region in the winter season belt due to convergence of two air masses of opposite nature. When these clouds are associated. With rains or snow, they are called nimbostratus clouds.
Cumulostratus Clouds: These are light grey or whitish colour clouds. They are generally composed of globular masses or rolls which are arranged in lines, waves or groups. Generally, they cover the entire sky in winter season. They are generally associated with fair or clean weather.
Cumulus Clouds : These are dense widespread and dome-shaped with flat bases. They are associated with fair weather.
Cumulonimbus Clouds : These are thunderstorm clouds. They are very dark and dense clouds. They show great vertical development. They are spread over large areas. They are associated with heavy rainfall, hailstorm, thunder, etc. The rainfall in both tropical and temperature cyclone is generally caused by these clouds.
Nimbostratus Clouds: These are low clouds of dark colour, very close to the ground surface. They create darkness because the sunlight is obscured due to presence of its high thickness. These clouds increase the humidity in the atmosphere. Consequently, the precipitation starts soon. The rainfall in the subtropical cyclones is generally caused by these clouds.

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