Clouds are classified based on their altitude, shape, and colour.
2 There are three basic altitude classifications: high-level clouds (at or above 20,000 feet), mid-level clouds (between 6,500 and 20,000 feet), and low-level clouds (below 6,500 feet).
Clouds can also be classified by their shape, which can be determined by the type of air currents and atmospheric conditions in which they form. Some common cloud shapes include puffy cumulus clouds, flat and featureless stratus clouds, and thin, wispy cirrus clouds.
Finally, clouds can vary in colour depending on the amount of sunlight they reflect and scatter. For example, clouds can appear grey or white on a cloudy day, but may take on a range of colours during sunrise or sunset, from pink and orange to purple and red.
Cirrus clouds are the highest clouds in the sky and typically form above 20,000 feet.
3 They are thin and wispy in appearance and are often referred to as “mare’s tails” because of their shape.
On the other hand, stratus clouds are the lowest clouds and typically form at altitudes of less than 6,500 feet. They are featureless and flat in appearance, often resembling a grey blanket covering the sky.
There are many other types of clouds that can form at different altitudes, including cumulus clouds, which are large and puffy, and can be found at various altitudes depending on their size and shape. There are also nimbostratus clouds, which are associated with heavy rain, and altostratus clouds, which form at intermediate altitudes.
Clouds play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s temperature by reflecting sunlight back into space.
4 This helps to keep the planet cool and prevents it from overheating. In fact, clouds are one of the most important factors in determining the Earth’s overall climate.
However, not all clouds have the same effect on the Earth’s temperature. High, thin cirrus clouds, for example, allow a lot of sunlight to pass through, while low, thick stratus clouds can block sunlight and trap heat close to the surface, leading to warmer temperatures on the ground. The way that clouds interact with sunlight and the Earth’s atmosphere is complex, and scientists are still working to fully understand their role in the Earth’s climate system.
