This is a photograph of cumulus clouds.
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of Carlye Calvin
Cumulus clouds belong to the Clouds with Vertical
group. They are puffy white or light gray clouds that look like floating cotton
balls. Cumulus clouds have sharp outlines and a flat base. Cumulus clouds
generally have a base height of 1000m and a width of 1km.
Cumulus clouds can be associated with good or bad weather. Cumulus humilis
clouds are associated with fair
weather. Cumulus congestus clouds are usually
associated with bad weather. Their tops look
like cauliflower heads and mean that light to heavy showers can occur.
Here's a tip on how to know if you see a cumulus cloud in the sky. Cumulus cloud cells (the individual puffs of clouds) are about the size of your fist or larger when you hold up your hand at arm's length to look at the cloud.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!Cool It!
is the new card game from the Union of Concerned Scientists that teaches kids about the choices we have when it comes to climate change—and how policy and technology decisions made today will matter. Cool It! is available in our online store
You might also be interested in:
Clouds with vertical growth include cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds grow high up into the atmosphere rather than spreading across the sky. They span all levels of the troposphere and can...more
Cumulus clouds can be associated with good or bad weather. Cumulus humilis clouds are common in the summer and are associated with fair weather. They are usually widely spaced in the sky, have a flat base...more
Cumulus clouds can be associated with good or bad weather. Cumulus congestus clouds, also called towering cumulus, are in the last stage of development before becoming cumulonimbus clouds. The tops of...more
Nimbostratus clouds belong to the Low Cloud (surface to 2000m up) group. They are dark gray with a ragged base. Nimbostratus clouds are associated with continuous rain or snow. Sometimes they cover the...more
Scientists are sending tiny airplanes buzzing through the sky to discover how air pollution can impact weather, climate, and global warming. The tiny airplanes look like regular planes but they have only...more
Weather fronts can cause clouds to form. Fronts occur when two large masses of air collide at the Earth's surface. Warm fronts produce clouds when warm air replaces cold air by sliding above it. Many different...more
Altocumulus clouds are part of the Middle Cloud group (2000-7000m up). They are grayish-white with one part of the cloud darker than the other. Altocumulus clouds usually form in groups and are about...more