Cloud Formation

Clouds form when warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses into water droplets or ice crystals. This process happens when the air's capacity to hold moisture decreases, leading to cloud formation in the atmosphere.

Main Cloud Types

Clouds are grouped into four main types: Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, and Nimbus. Each type has distinct characteristics and plays a role in forecasting different weather patterns.

Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus clouds are high-altitude, wispy clouds made of ice crystals. They indicate that weather changes, such as rain or snow, are likely within 24 hours.

Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus clouds are large, fluffy, and white, usually associated with fair weather. However, under the right conditions, they can develop into storm clouds, leading to thunderstorms.

Stratus Clouds

Stratus clouds are low-level and form in uniform sheets, often covering the sky. These clouds bring light rain or drizzle and create extended periods of gray, overcast skies.

Altostratus Clouds

Altostratus clouds form at mid-altitudes and signal upcoming weather changes. They often precede rain or snow, leading to overcast skies.

Nimbus Clouds

Nimbus clouds are rain-bearing clouds, typically dark and heavy, responsible for precipitation. They bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow, depending on the temperature.

Cloud Heights

Clouds are classified by altitude into high, middle, and low types. High clouds, like cirrus, form above 20,000 feet, while low clouds, such as stratus, form below 6,500 feet, with middle clouds, like altostratus, in between.

Lightning Formation

Thunderstorms generate lightning when cloud particles collide and create electrical charges. Static electricity builds up, discharges, and results in lightning, followed by thunder.

Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that introduces substances like silver iodide into clouds to promote precipitation. It's used to increase rainfall in drought-prone areas.