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cloud

Also known as clouds

alt=|thumb|upright=1.5|Cloudscape over Borneo, taken by the [[International Space Station]]

AI overview

A cloud is a visible collection of water droplets or ice crystals that forms in the atmosphere when water vapor condenses, typically appearing as white or gray masses in the sky. Clouds are important because they play a key role in Earth's weather and climate by storing and moving water around the planet, reflecting sunlight, and trapping heat.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Image: Clouds in the sky and sun.jpg

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Commons category: Clouds
Unicode character: ☁
Commons gallery: Cloud
exact match: purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO_01000760
Digital Atlas of Idaho URL: digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/clima/imaging/cldfr.htm

Sources (5)

via Wikidata · CC0

~65 min read

Article

45 sections

Contents

Etymology
Homospheric nomenclatures and cross-classification
History of cloud science
Formation
Adiabatic cooling
Non-adiabatic cooling
Adding moisture to the air
Tropospheric classification
Levels and genera
High-level
Mid-level
Low-level
Multi-level or moderate vertical
Towering vertical
Species
Stable or mostly stable
Ragged
Partly unstable
Unstable or mostly unstable
Varieties
Opacity-based
Pattern-based
Combinations
Other types
Precipitation-based supplementary features
Cloud-based supplementary features
Accessory clouds
Mother clouds
Other genitus and mutatus clouds
Large scale patterns
Stratocumulus fields
Vortex streets
Distribution
Convergence along low-pressure zones
Divergence along high pressure zones
Luminance, reflectivity, and coloration
Effects
Stratospheric classification and distribution
Mesospheric classification and distribution
Extraterrestrial
In culture and religion
See also
References
Bibliography
External links

alt=|thumb|upright=1.5|Cloudscape over Borneo, taken by the [[International Space Station]]

In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of miniature liquid droplets, ice crystals, or other particles, suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water, primarily, comprises the droplets and crystals. On Earth, clouds are formed as a result of saturation of the air when it is cooled to its dew point, or when it gains sufficient moisture, usually in the form of water vapor, from an adjacent source to raise the dew point to the ambient temperature.