How Clouds Form. Middle - Middle level clouds form between 6,500 and 20,000 feet high. How do Clouds Form in the Atmosphere 1. The characteristics of clouds are dictated by the elements available, including the amount of water vapor, the temperatures at that height, the wind, and the interplay of … The relative size of water molecules to condensation nuclei. This is precisely the reason why clouds formed are fewer in high-pressure zones since instead of converging and moving up, the air moves down. They are often composed of mostly water droplets. The genus of a newly formed cloud is determined mainly by air mass characteristics such as stability and moisture content. When clouds are part of a thunderstorm they usually travel at 30 to 40 mph. Clouds are one of nature's most consistently visible wonders and can also tell us a lot about what is going on up in the atmosphere. Clouds are formed when water vapor in the air condenses into ice crystals or water droplets at relatively high altitudes or cold areas such as mountain tops. Clouds have various shapes and sizes, from thin wispy clouds to large and dark clouds. In one form or another water is always present in the atmosphere. Educational Resources: Learn how cumulus clouds form. The factors that generally influence the size of clouds include heat, bodies of water, mountain ranges, seasons and volcanic eruptions.

Nuclei. Medium level clouds usually have the word "alto" in their name. The air not being able to go down rises up to form clouds and eventual precipitation.

There are two ingredients needed for clouds to become visible; water, of course, and nuclei. Mid-level clouds are usually gray and are identified as either altocumulus, altostratus, or nimbostratus.

Low - Low level clouds form below 6,500 feet.

Clouds are part of the Earth's water cycle. Air with more water molecules has less mass than air with more nitrogen gas or oxygen gas (Source: MinuteEarth video Why are there clouds?. How do clouds form by convergence? Winds converge towards the center of low-pressure areas due to friction. Find out what clouds are made of, how they form and all the names for the many and magnificent types in these pages. Why do clouds form at different heights in the atmosphere? Altocumulus clouds are full of liquid water but generally do not produce rain. Clouds initially form in clear air or become clouds when fog rises above surface level. Clouds rarely form in the desert, because there is not enough water to evaporate and form clouds. As the invisible pocket of warm, moist air rises, the pressure around it drops.This allows the pocket of air to expand. What Are Clouds Composed of?

If these characteristics change over time, the genus tends to change accordingly.