what can the height of clouds tell us?
Though the clouds may look like a shoe, an elephant or even your Aunt Ausan, their placement in the sky can be quite telling!
High-Level Clouds (Above 20,000 feet):
Clouds like cirrus, cirrostratus, and cirrocumulus form at high altitudes where temperatures are cold. These clouds are often associated with fair weather but can precede the arrival of a warm front. If these high-level clouds thicken and lower, it may indicate the approach of a warm front and the possibility of precipitation within the next day or so.
Mid-Level Clouds (6,500-20,000 feet):
Clouds such as altostratus and altocumulus form at intermediate altitudes. Altostratus clouds, for example, often precede rain or snow associated with a warm front, while altocumulus clouds may indicate the potential for thunderstorms later in the day, especially during warm, humid weather.
Low-Level Clouds (Surface to 6,500 feet):
Clouds like stratus, stratocumulus, and nimbostratus form closer to the Earth's surface. Stratus clouds are often associated with overcast skies and light drizzle or mist. Nimbostratus clouds, on the other hand, are thick and dark and can bring steady precipitation, such as rain or snow.
Vertical Development Clouds:
Cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds have vertical growth, with cumulus clouds forming at lower altitudes and cumulonimbus clouds reaching high into the atmosphere. Cumulus clouds typically indicate fair weather, while cumulonimbus clouds are associated with severe weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and tornadoes.