Clouds!

Clouds are visible accumulations of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that are (with the exception of noctilucent clouds) visible to the Earth's atmosphere. They tend to appear white as the tiny water droplets are compacted tightly (therefore reflecting most of the sunlight that hits them). We usually see them as white (as that is how our eyes perceive all wavelengths of sunlight mixed together), and when it's about to rain clouds darken (as water vapor is clumping together into raindrops, leaving larger spaces between them. Less light is reflected, so clouds become darker shades of grey, blue or black). Clouds are a completely normal aspect of the sky, however, I think they're incredible. 

Notably, clouds come in a large variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Various factors contribute to these variations, including how much saturation is in the air, air density, previous weather conditions, climates, etc. However, just how many forms of clouds are out there? Have we discovered them all? Why are they so massive? There are so many questions I have when I see them. 

Clouds can be categorised based on their height above ground, their appearance, and their effect on weather. There are cloud 'roots' that cover unique components of clouds to allow a system. These include:

- Cirro-form clouds. Cirro form (typically referred to as 'cirrus clouds') are 'wispy, curly, or stringy' clouds. They are found high in the atmosphere, typically higher than 6,500 metres. These clouds are usually made of ice crystals more than water droplets. Cirro-form clouds typically signal clear weather, however, also act as warning signals of future weather events. Their shape often indicates the direction the wind is blowing in the atmosphere.

- Cumulo-form clouds. Cumulo form (typically referred to as 'cumulus clouds') are 'large, lumpy and fluffy' clouds. In appearance, they are quite dense with sharper outlines. These clouds show vertical motion into the atmosphere by thermal uplift (warmer, moist air), and have the ability to stretch up to 12,000 metres. These clouds typically form heavy precipitation, with the weather they bring depending on height and size. The higher the base, the drier the weather will be. Closer clouds will bring the opposite. 

- Strato-form clouds. Strato form (typically referred to as 'stratus clouds') are 'broad and widespread' clouds (more horizontal and layered). These clouds somewhat 'blanket the sky' with their pattern. Strato-form clouds form close to Earth, at the boundary of a warm front (when warm air is forced upwards over cold air). Moist, cold air is then pushed across the entire front. Therefore, strato-form clouds usually signify an overcast, cold day. If it does rain from these clouds, it's only light showers at most. 

- Nimbo-form clouds. Nimbo form (typically referred to as 'nimbostratus clouds') is a special rain cloud category. These clouds combine the cirro, cumulo, and strato forms. The majority of precipitation comes from these clouds, which can last for hours. In appearance, they are very thick, and dark and vary in height and size.

With this system, it is safe to conclude that we can predict present and future weather purely by observing clouds. We can also somewhat predict how close clouds are to the surface level, and also be able to identify the basic type of cloud accurately (as each form contains its unique features). I think that is very cool. 

There are also prefixes (the majority correlate to the cloud types) that give us a better idea of the distance of clouds from the surface level:

- The prefix 'cirro' refers to clouds that lie more than 6500 metres above Earth. They are considered 'high-level' clouds.

- The prefix 'alto' refers to clouds that lie on bases between 2000 metres and 6000 metres. They are considered 'mid-level' clouds.

-  The prefix 'nimbo' refers to clouds that lie on bases below 2000 metres. They are considered 'low-level' clouds. 

With these prefixes and base names, we now can look into individual clouds.

- Cirro-form/high-level/cirrus clouds - cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus.

-  Mid-level clouds - altostratus, altocumulus.

- Low-level clouds - stratus, cumulus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus. 

These are your regular clouds that can provide information about the weather (and so on as I mentioned earlier). Who would've thought clouds were so complex?

Some more interesting clouds worth mentioning include:

- Wall clouds. These clouds are lowered gradually from a rain-free base of a strong, upcoming thunderstorm. The lowering denotes a storm's updraft where rapidly rising air causes lower pressure just below the main updraft, which enhances condensation and cloud formation (under the primary cloud base). Wall clouds vary in shape and size. Some show strong upward motion and cyclonic rotation (that can lead to tornado formation), while others are harmless and don't rotate at all. 

- Shelf clouds. Shelf clouds are low, horizontal, and sometimes wedge-shaped clouds associated with an upcoming thunderstorm. 

- Fractus clouds. Fractus clouds (also known as scud clouds) are low, ragged clouds that inhabit stratiform or cumuliform elements. They are usually unattached to larger thunderstorms or cold frontal bases. They look ominous, but by themselves, they aren't dangerous at all. 

- Mammatus clouds. Mammatus clouds are clouds that droop underside with a weird, circular pouch-like appearance. It's usually a cumulonimbus cloud in a later stage of development. They're usually spotted in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm and don't bring any dangerous weather of their own. Sometimes they do accompany a low-medium level storm. *Writer note, these are my favourite clouds. 

- Contrail clouds. These clouds are narrow and elongated, formed by aircraft exhausts.

- Fog. Fog is technically a layer of stratus clouds very close to the ground. Types include radiation fog and advection fog. 

So next time you're outside, maybe look up and see what you can observe from the clouds. Because weirdly, you can learn quite a lot. To link in 'teeel' fashion, clouds are very cool. 

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight.