What can clouds tell us?
Laying on the grass and looking at clouds can be a fun way to spot shapes and imagine pictures. But did you know clouds can also tell us a lot about the weather? By learning to read the clouds, you can become the weather guru of your friend group!
How clouds are formed
Clouds form when warm air rises and cools down. Cool air can't hold as much water vapor, so the vapor turns into tiny droplets by sticking to dust particles in the air. When billions of these droplets come together, they form a visible cloud.
Levels of clouds
Clouds are found at different heights in the sky, which can be grouped into three levels:
High Clouds (5 km and higher)
Cirrus: These clouds are thin, wispy, and hair-like, made of ice crystals. They are whiter during the day and can show sunset colors. Cirrus clouds indicate an approaching low-pressure system and increasing wind, which can be good for kitesurfing.
Cirrostratus: These transparent clouds cover large sky areas and can produce halos around the Sun or Moon. They often signal an incoming warm front with possible rain or drizzle within a day, so it's best to be cautious.
Cirrocumulus: Small white clouds grouped together, often appearing as ripples. Made of ice crystals, they usually mean fair weather, which is ideal for kitesurfing.
Contrails: Formed by jet airplanes, these clouds are made of water droplets condensed from the water vapor in jet exhaust and generally indicate stable weather conditions suitable for kitesurfing.
Middle-Level Clouds (2 km to 5 km)
Altocumulus: Small, mid-level clouds that look like rounded clumps. They usually indicate fair weather but can suggest rain if they thicken. Generally good for kitesurfing.
Altostratus: These clouds cover a large area and appear thin, allowing a weak view of the Sun. They often signal continuous rain or snow is on the way, so you might want to avoid kitesurfing.
Low-Level Clouds (less than 2 km)
Cumulus: Detached, cauliflower-shaped clouds, usually seen in fair weather. They form due to convection and can grow into cumulonimbus clouds. Cumulus clouds are perfect for kitesurfing in fair weather.
Nimbostratus: Thick, dark clouds that block the Sun and bring persistent rain. Not ideal for kitesurfing.
Stratus: Featureless, low clouds that cover the sky like a blanket. They can look like fog in mountains and hills and usually indicate fair but gloomy weather. Generally okay for kitesurfing but keep an eye out for changing conditions.
Stratocumulus: Clumpy clouds varying in color from white to dark gray. Common in all weather types, they rarely produce more than light drizzle. Fair weather for now, but a storm might be on its way, so stay cautious.
Cumulonimbus: The "King of Clouds," spanning the entire troposphere. Known as thunderclouds, they can produce hail, thunder, and lightning. They indicate severe weather with strong, unpredictable winds, making them dangerous for kitesurfing.
By learning about different cloud types and what they signify, you can predict weather changes and impress your friends with your cloud-reading skills. For kitesurfing, look for Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Altocumulus, and Cumulus clouds, as they usually indicate favorable conditions. Avoid Nimbostratus, Altostratus, and Cumulonimbus clouds, as they can signal bad weather and make kitesurfing unsafe. So next time you see clouds in the sky, take a moment to understand what they might be telling you about the weather and your kitesurfing plans.
xox Berit