Clouds form through condensation and reflect weather patterns. They are made of water in liquid or ice form and affect temperatures by blocking sunlight. Clouds are classified by their height and shape into cirrus, cumulus, stratis, and vertical clouds. Cirrus clouds are wispy and high altitude while cumulus are puffy and can develop vertically. Stratis are low, flat clouds while vertical clouds are tall and can produce severe weather.

1. A Weather Predictor

2. UNDERSTANDING CLOUDS Clouds are usually the most obvious feature of the sky. They reflect weather patterns and play a role in what the weather does. They are sources of precipitation as well as affect the temperatures of our atmosphere. Clouds block incoming sunlight during the day, which cools the air, but they can also block outgoing radiation from the Earth, which can warm temperatures.

9. VERTICALLY FORMED CLOUDS Can produce lightning, heavy rains, hail, strong winds, and tornados. They are the tallest of all clouds and have an anvil shaped top due to the stronger winds at those altitudes.