Clouds are possibly the most interesting (and beautiful) of all weather phenomena. While there are a wide variety of cloud shapes and sizes, they are all made of the same thing: condensed water or ice. Clouds form when rising air expands and cools to the point where some of the water molecules "clump together" faster than they are torn apart. The invisible water vapor condenses to form vi
sible cloud droplets or ice crystals. These ice crystals collide with each other and grow by joining together to such a large size that they fall to the ground as rain or snow, or they evaporate and change back into water vapor.
sible cloud droplets or ice crystals. These ice crystals collide with each other and grow by joining together to such a large size that they fall to the ground as rain or snow, or they evaporate and change back into water vapor. If these clouds continue to grow they form into a Cumulonimbus cloud, aka “thunderstorm”.
Cumulonimbus reach to high altitudes, often to the tropopause, and produce large amounts of precipitation. The tops of cumulonimbus are often seen on the horizon while the bases are not in view. A distinguishing feature of the cumulonimbus clouds is the anvil. This is the part of the cumulonimbus that appears flat near the top and extends a long distance downwind from the central updraft of the cloud. This flat part of the cloud is similar in shape to the anvil used in metal smithing.
Even though my favorite clouds are thunderstorm clouds, you will see in my photo gallery that I love all types of clouds. We have an amazing creator don’t we?
All images copyrighted by Impressive Creations. Used with permission only
