What is the altitude of clouds?

In addition to standardizing the genus-species system, the WMO also classified clouds by altitude and divided the troposphere into 3 levels: Low-level Clouds: < 6,500 ft. Mid-level Clouds: 6,500 to 23,000 ft. High-level Clouds: 16,500 to 45,000 ft.

Why do some clouds form at different altitudes?

The various cloud types have different characteristics that are dictated by the elements available, including the amount of water vapor, the temperatures at that height, the wind, and the interplay of other air masses. Colder clouds are higher in the atmosphere while warmer ones are closer to the surface.

What are the criteria by which clouds are classified?

Clouds are classified on the basis of two criteria: form and height. The three basic cloud forms are: cirrus, cumulus and stratus.

What are the three classes of clouds based on altitude?

A scheme of classifying clouds according to their usual altitudes. Three classes are distinguished: high, middle, and low. High clouds include cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, occasionally altostratus, and the tops of cumulonimbus.

Why does altitude affect a cumulonimbus cloud?

Cumulonimbus clouds are the final form of growing cumulus clouds. They form when cumulus congestus clouds develop a strong updraft that propels their tops higher and higher into the atmosphere until they reach the tropopause at 18,000 metres (59,000 ft) in altitude.

How does altitude affect the weather?

Altitude or height above sea level – Locations at a higher altitude have colder temperatures. Temperature usually decreases by 1°C for every 100 metres in altitude. 4. This means that coastal locations tend to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter than places inland at the same latitude and altitude.

How are clouds formed Class 9?

How are clouds formed? Ans. During day time water from different sources like pond, lake, river, sea, well etc get evaporated and this water vapour rises up with the hot air. At a particular height the air cools and the water vapour condenses to form minute droplets and form clouds.

What altitude do low level clouds form at?

6500 feet
Low clouds occur below 6500 feet, and normally consist of liquid water droplets or even supercooled droplets, except during cold winter storms when ice crystals (and snow) comprise much of the clouds.

How are cloud types determined?

Clouds are classified according to their height above and appearance (texture) from the ground. The following cloud roots and translations summarize the components of this classification system: 1) Cirro-: curl of hair, high.

What is the altitude of a cumulonimbus cloud?

between 2,000 and 5,000ft
Cumulonimbus. Cloud base is typically between 2,000 and 5,000ft, though in some cases this may be lower or higher. These clouds are formed when conditions are such that deep convection is able to develop, and may have a huge vertical extent particularly in the tropics, sometimes reaching the tropopause.