What determines how low a cloud is?

Three general cloud-height classifications exist: low, middle and high. Clouds are classified according to the height of their bases above the ground. Low clouds generally have bases below about 6,500 feet above the surface; middle clouds, about 6,500 to 20,000 feet; high clouds, 20,000 and higher.

What causes the clouds to be low?

Most of the time this is because there is insufficient heating/lifting or moisture to cause deeper (taller) cloud development. These clouds are too thin to produce rain, lightning, or waterspouts.

What affects the height of clouds?

Cloud height is often related to the intensity of precipitation generated by a cloud: deeper clouds tend to produce more intense rainfall. For instance, cumulonimbus clouds can develop vertically through a substantial part of the troposphere and often result in thunderstorms with lightning and heavy showers.

What factors affect clouds?

For instance, temperature, humidity and altitude are all factors that affect cloud formation. But how do clouds move and eventually disappear? The difference between air within a cloud and the air surrounding it dictates cloud movement.

What are low clouds called?

stratus
Low-level clouds (0-2 km): stratus, cumulus, cumulonimbus, and stratocumulus.

Which is one factor that affects the type of cloud that will form?

The air where the cloud forms must be cool enough for the water vapor to condense. The water will condense around things like dust, ice or sea salt – all known as condensation nuclei. The temperature, wind and other conditions where a cloud forms determine what type of cloud it will be.

What are very low clouds called?

Low-Level Clouds. Cumulus (Cu), Stratocumulus (Sc), Stratus (St), and Cumulonimbus (Cb) are low clouds composed of water droplets. Cumulonimbus, with its strong vertical updraft, extends well into the the high level of clouds.

What is the height of the lowest clouds?

about 6,500 feet
Low-level clouds are found below about 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). They are either flat and layered or rounded on top, with flat bases: Stratocumulus have distinct gray or whitish rounded patches.

What are the lower level clouds?

Are clouds lower in some places?

Earth’s clouds are sinking lower in the sky, with fewer clouds at high altitudes and lower cloudtops in general, says a new analysis of satellite data.

Which is one factor that affects the type of clouds that will form?

Do clouds affect climate?

Clouds affect the climate but changes in the climate, in turn, affect the clouds. Clouds warm or cool Earth’s atmosphere by absorbing heat emitted from the surface and radiating it to space. Clouds warm and dry Earth’s atmosphere and supply water to the surface by forming precipitation.