Which cloud is responsible for heavy rainfall?
cumulonimbus
Two types of clouds that are commonly responsible for precipitation are cumulonimbus and nimbostratus clouds. Cumulonimbus clouds create heavy downpours and are common in tropical and temperate regions. Nimbostratus clouds are thick and can be responsible for snow, ice or rain.
How do clouds determine rain?
Water vapor turns into clouds when it cools and condenses—that is, turns back into liquid water or ice. In the cloud, with more water condensing onto other water droplets, the droplets grow. When they get too heavy to stay suspended in the cloud, even with updrafts within the cloud, they fall to Earth as rain.
Why does precipitation fall from some clouds but not others?
Clouds produce rain when tiny droplets of liquid water begin to stick together, forming larger and larger drops. When those drops get heavy enough, they fall as rain. If a particular cloud doesn’t have the right conditions, Thin, wispy clouds like these usually don’t produce rain or other types of precipitation.
Can we touch the clouds?
Well, the simple answer is yes, but we will get into it. Clouds look like they would be fluffy and fun to play in, but they are actually made of trillions “cloud droplets”. Nonetheless, if you were to be able to touch a cloud, it wouldn’t really feel like anything, just a little wet.
Does all clouds result in rainfall?
We know that not all clouds produce rain that strikes the ground. Some may produce rain or snow that evaporates before reaching the ground, and most clouds produce no precipitation at all. When rain falls, we know from measurements that the drops are larger than one millimeter.
How do clouds affect the climate of Earth?
Clouds within a mile or so of Earth’s surface tend to cool more than they warm. These low, thicker clouds mostly reflect the Sun’s heat. This cools Earth’s surface. Clouds high up in the atmosphere have the opposite effect: They tend to warm Earth more than they cool.
What are the characteristics of middle level clouds?
Middle Level Clouds (2.5 to 6 km) Altocumulus: middle level layered cloud, rippled elements, generally white with some shading. Precipitation: May produce light showers. Altostratus: middle level grey sheet, thinner layer allows sun to appear as through ground glass. Precipitation: rain or snow.
How high above the ground do clouds form?
Keep in mind that middle clouds can form a couple of thousand feet above or below the 10,000- foot marker. Middle clouds are composed of water droplets and/or ice crystals. Low clouds (stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus) can form anywhere from the ground to an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet.
What is the relationship between precipitation and clouds?
Precipitation and Clouds, Formation of. Clouds are condensed droplets or ice crystals from atmospheric water vapor. Clouds form by the rising and cooling of air caused by convection, topography, convergence, and frontal lifting.