Low level clouds typically move slower than high level clouds because at the surface the wind slows down due to the friction layer. Another reason might be due the mass of the cloud.
One thought is that that is, at one point you might see a cloud much lower slightly rise up further in the sky. This is due to convection, which is rising hot air from the ground moving upwards. This hot air can cause clouds to move upwards where the air is colder. To sum it up, clouds aren’t really moving, technically.
On a still day, clouds move slowly across the sky. How much of this is due to Earth’s rotation? Do clouds seem to move faster at the equator? Clouds move in response to the local winds. Although the air immediately around you may be still, the winds are far stronger thousands of metres higher up.
Do clouds move faster at the equator?
Clouds move in response to the local winds. Although the air immediately around you may be still, the winds are far stronger thousands of metres higher up. That is why clouds are usually in motion, even on apparently windless days.
How does wind affect cloud shape?
Wind can also affect the shape of a cloud. Because it’s possible for wind to randomly move around clouds, it can push two clouds together, separate chunks off a cloud, or make some parts of a cloud look thin and wispy. Technically, it’s not the clouds that are moving.
Clouds within a mile or so of Earth’s surface tend to cool more than they warm. These low, thicker clouds mostly reflect the Sun’s heat. This cools Earth’s surface. Clouds high up in the atmosphere have the opposite effect: They tend to warm Earth more than they cool. High, thin clouds trap some of the Sun’s heat.
Clouds reflect about 50 W m-2 of solar radiation up into space, and radiate about 30 W m-2 down to the ground, so the net effect is 20 W m-2 cooling on average.
Do clouds hold heat?
Clouds can trap that heat from the Sun. At night, when there’s no sunlight, clouds are still trapping heat. It’s sort of like clouds are wrapping Earth in a big, warm blanket.
Do clouds block heat from the Sun?
However, some heat from the Sun does get down to Earth. Clouds can trap that heat from the Sun. At night, when there’s no sunlight, clouds are still trapping heat. It’s sort of like clouds are wrapping Earth in a big, warm blanket. During the day, clouds can make the temperature on Earth cooler by blocking heat from the Sun.
But it’s a bit complicated: Clouds can both cool down and warm up the temperatures on Earth. Clouds can block light and heat from the Sun, making Earth’s temperature cooler. You’ve probably noticed this kind of cooldown on a cloudy day.
What creates clouds snow sleet rain and hail?
You may not be able to see water all around you, but it’s there. A few additional ideas to look into: clouds, rain, snow, sleet, hail, additional topics, common types of clouds, create condensation, or fog.
When we were researching we ran into the inquiry “What type of cloud produces snow?”.
Cumulus clouds are probably the most well-known of the cloud types. If updrafts become stronger, those seemingly innocuous cumulus clouds may grow taller into what we call cumulonimbus clouds. A few additional things to take a look at: cirrus, lenticular, stratus, mammatus, and contrails.