CLOUDS

1
Clouds are ubiquitous in our daily lives, so
much so that most people don’t pay attention
to them anymore. Clouds are essential in the
hydrologic cycle of Earth because their
formation and movement initiates the
transport of water.

2
HOW CLOUDS FORM
•Warm air rises and cools as it ascends.

•Cool air holds less moisture than warm air.

•As the air cools, water vapor condenses into tiny

water droplets or ice crystals.

•These water droplets and ice crystals come

together to form clouds.
 TYPES OF CLOUDS
•Clouds are classified based on their altitude, shape, and composition.

•Three main cloud levels: high, middle, and low.

•High clouds (cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus): wispy, feathery,

made of ice crystals.

•Middle clouds (altocumulus, altostratus): patchy, puffy, composed of

water droplets or a mix of water droplets and ice crystals.

•Low clouds (stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus): sheet-like, gray,

often associated with precipitation.
CUMULUS CLOUDS:
THE PUFFY PALS
•Cumulus clouds are puffy, white clouds with flat
bases.

•Often associated with fair weather conditions.

•Can grow vertically into towering cumulonimbus

clouds.
CUMULONIMBUS
CLOUDS: THE
RAINMAKERS
•Cumulonimbus clouds are massive, dark clouds
with towering vertical development.

•Associated with thunderstorms, lightning, and

heavy precipitation.

•Contain both water droplets and ice crystals.

THE IMPORTANCE
OF CLOUDS
•Clouds play a crucial role in regulating Earth's
temperature.

•Reflect sunlight, preventing overheating

THANK YOU
Brita Tamm​

502-555-0152​

brita@firstupconsultants.com​

www.firstupconsultants.com