Talk:Cloud

Source of classification schemes

After a long absence from this page, I have revisited a critique regarding the origin of a couple of classification schemes used in the intro and the cross-classification table. In my original response to the critique, I added some citations to my main source, the WMO. This time I also identified the same source more clearly in the text for the benefit of those who might not always click on the citations but who might still have been curious or skeptical about where I obtained my information. I hope what I have posted here is an adequate response to any questions raised about my main source.~~ ChrisCarss Former24.108.99.31 (talk) 14:10, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

Some thoughts on clouds: Altocumulus Cas. & Altocumulus of a Chaotic Sky

Cloud identification began and was fulfilled within the ranges of the Temperate climate zone. Not surprisingly, "weather" is at home within this region! Having worked in the Sub-Tropical/Arid climate zone for the past 60 years, it does seem that there a additions/modifications/adaptations which need to be made to adapt to the types seen in these skies in close relation to weather events. Both Ac Cas: Ac 8 and Ac 9 are described in the various cloud atlases with reference to there being a link to air of a tropical source, but from observation within that tropical source. some enlargement would seem appropriate. Clearly, these cloud types are indicative of considerable turbulence in their cloud height above ground range. What I have seen is that Ac 9, in particular, is able to "go beserk" and create a cumulonimbus development which, once formed, adds to its mass as cloud gathers beneath the initial base, merging with it quite quickly, while cloud top expands vertically quickly topping out at typical cumulonimbus top levels. The thundery identity is now active. The base is perhaps some 10 to 12000 feet above surface. My query is about cloud identity. Is this now Cb9 in its low cloud identity? While co-existing with other Ac9 patches across the sky. The point is that the variations between Temperate and Sub-Tropical clouds are not always identified and clarified for various users

I don't know who wrote the above or when but if I end with a date it will eventually get archived off I guess. If you wrote it feel free to improve the article if you can cite reliablesources Chidgk1 (talk) 12:11, 6 February 2025 (UTC)

It looks to me like the unsigned plaintiff was puzzled that a middle cloud, AC 9, is reclassified as a low cloud if it changes into a CB 9 even if the height of the cloud base does not change. About the only answer to that I can offer is that altitude classifications used by the World Meteorological Organization are governed by a convention that a cloud type is classified as high, middle, or low based on the altitude at which the cloud most commonly forms. CB clouds usually form in the low altitude range (generally 2 km above ground or lower), but can form higher than 2 km if the air is very dry. So that makes it a low cloud that can sometimes form in the middle level of the troposphere. On the other hand hand, AC clouds, by definition, never form below 2 km. Clouds of the same physical form below that altitude are always classified as SC - stratocumulus. ~~ChrisCarss Former24.108.99.31 (talk) 14:40, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

improving intro

Currently it says: "Terrestrial cloud formation is the result of air in any of the lower three principal layers of Earth's atmosphere (collectively known as the homosphere) becoming saturated due to either or both of two processes: cooling of the air and adding water vapor."

What does "adding water vapour" mean? Adding it to what and who does the adding?! Suggestion :

Clouds are formed by the saturation of air in the homosphere. This saturation occurs due to the cooling of the air or/and its contact with water vapor.

I don't know who wrote the above or when but if I end with a date it will eventually get archived off I guess. If you wrote it feel free to improve the article if you can cite reliable sources Chidgk1 (talk) 12:13, 6 February 2025 (UTC)

Adding moisture to the air

As of 2021-07-11, the section on "Adding moisture to the air" does NOT include the word evaporation.

I read, "Several main sources of water vapor can be added to the air as a way of achieving saturation without any cooling process: water or moist ground,[25][26][27] precipitation or virga,[28] and transpiration from plants[29]".

I'm changing this to read, "Several main sources of water vapor can be added to the air as a way of achieving saturation without any cooling process: Evaporation from surface water or moist ground,[25][26][27] precipitation or virga,[28] and transpiration from plants.[29]"

If this is NOT correct, I trust someone will correct me.

NICE TO HAVE: Might anyone have a table giving rough percentages of moisture from different sources? Clearly from oceans and lakes, evaporation from the exposed surface would be 100 percent of the moisture. Virga is retaining water in the atmosphere -- evaporating or sublimating before it reaches the surface. Thanks, DavidMCEddy (talk) 04:22, 12 July 2021 (UTC)

I would also like to see some numbers about what percentage (by mass or volume) of cloud air is water particles? CO₂ at 400ppm reflects dangerous amounts of infrared. How does that compare to clouds percentage of water particles or vapor? OsamaBinLogin (talk) 22:07, 23 November 2024 (UTC)

"Angkulye" listed at Redirects for discussion

A discussion is taking place to address the redirect Angkulye. The discussion will occur at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2021 November 26#Angkulye until a consensus is reached, and readers of this page are welcome to contribute to the discussion. Certes (talk) 17:05, 26 November 2021 (UTC)

Maybe someone would like to try to get this article featured

Rollcloud or anyone else interested,

I noticed this article when looking through the "good" articles related to the climate change project: this looks very good and could perhaps be improved to "featured". I have to admit I gave up in frustration with my only attempt at getting an article featured so I am not going to try myself. But I see you have been doing great work keeping Cirrus cloud featured, and ChrisCarss Former24.108.99.31 is an expert on this very important subject, so maybe you might consider Wikipedia:Featured article criteria Chidgk1 (talk) 07:27, 20 February 2022 (UTC)

Incomplete

Generally, it's a good idea to define/explain a subject by, among other ways, contrast. This article states that clouds are composed of water or other chemicals. As opposed to what?? Seems like a throw-away comment. Off the top of my head: dust clouds, smoke clouds, volcanic clouds, radioactive/mushroom (blast) clouds are all not even mentioned here and yet all have some significance on Earth. Sure, this article is about water clouds (oh, and how about clouds with an appreciable amount of sea-salts?), but maybe the other types deserve mention. If, for no other reason, than to tell the reader what is NOT covered here. While it's true that dust and smoke are "chemically constituted", it's probably not a useful way to think about them - that is, solid particulates, excluding water-ice, are often »hetrogenous« mixtures with more than one chemical present. (It could be that volcanic clouds consisting of SO2 and other volcanic gas condensation products are also too diverse to simply characterize, IDK.) Anyway, this article is about terrestrial water clouds, why not say that up front? 98.19.179.27 (talk) 11:02, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

"CLoud" listed at Redirects for discussion

The redirect CLoud has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2025 September 20 § DUran Duran until a consensus is reached. 1234qwer1234qwer4 09:32, 20 September 2025 (UTC)

Possible Image

Got this nice image here that I think works well showing different types of clouds and where there at, thoughts? HeavyMetalChicken (talk) 22:11, 18 October 2025 (UTC)

Doesn't mention how much a cloud can weigh

Says 1.1million pounds here: https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/how-much-does-a-cloud-weigh ~2026-34803-42 (talk) 07:33, 13 June 2026 (UTC)