Clouds form from water in the sky. The water may evaporate from the ground or move from other areas. Water vapour may be invisible but it is always in the sky in some amount. Clouds form when an area of air becomes cooler until the water vapour there condenses to liquid form. The water will condense around dust, ice, or sea salt.
- They are needed for rains or snow.
- During the nights, clouds reflect heat to the earth and keep the temperature warm.
- During the day, clouds help in keeping the temperature cooler by shielding the sunlight.
- Researching and studying clouds helps in understanding weather and climate.
Cloud formation occurs when there is an unstable air condition. As the air rises it starts cooling adiabatically. As the humidity present in it is in vapour form, it is called the dry adiabatic rate. As the temperature reaches the dew point, the vapor starts condensing into small droplets forming clouds. The height in which the condensation starts is called the condensation limit. If the parcel is still unstable it will rise more, now because liquid water is present, it is wet adiabatic cooling. The wet adiabatic rate is higher than the dry adiabatic rate.
