Clouds form in different levels of the atmosphere depending on their appearance and composition of water or ice particles. Clouds are classified as low, medium, or high-level based on their formation between 2-8km above sea level and include common cloud types like stratus, cumulus, and cirrus. Clouds impact climate through trapping heat via the greenhouse effect, transporting energy and moisture vertically in the atmosphere, and scattering solar and infrared radiation modifying radiation balance.

2. • Clouds-visible aggregates of minute water droplets or ice
crystals or a mixture of both in free air
• Cloud formation
Cloud formation

3. Stages of cloud formation

4. • Stratiforms
• Cumiliform
• Cirriform
CLASSIFICATION OF CLOUDS

5. Depending on the level of formation and appearance
1. low(ground to 2km) Stratus(St)
Stratocumulus(Sc)
2. Medium (Alto)(2 to 8km) Altostratus(As)
Altocumulus(Ac)
3. High(Cirro)(above 8km) Cirrus (Ci)
Cirrostratus(Cs)
Cirrocumulus(Cc)
4. Clouds with vertical development Cumulus(Cu)
(low level to 12 to 18 km0 Cumulonimbus(Cb)

6. Types of clouds

8. • Thermal radiation-green house warming
• Latent heat
• Scattering, absorption and emission of solar radiation and
infrared radiation by clouds-modify surface and planetary
radiation balance
• Vertical transport of energy
• Cooling effect and warming effect
Clouds and Climate