Current Events

  • Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm
    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm rep...Read more

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    Atmospheric CO2 Level Tops 400 ppm

    During the week of May 13th, the CO2 level at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii topped 400 ppm repeatedly. Daily levels of CO2 can vary due to weather, and there are seasonal trends as well. The level of atmospheric greenhouse gases continues to increase, now over 120 ppm since the Industrial Revolution began. For more on the Keeling Curve, see http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/. Find out more about greenhouse gases and warming.
  • Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley
    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Io...Read more

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    Massive Tornado Outbreak on Tornado Alley

    The week of May 19 brings dozens of tornadoes to Tornado Alley in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. On May 20th, a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, devastating communities - destroying over 100 homes and hitting two elementary schools and a hospital - with many casualties and deaths. Our thoughts are with our friends and colleagues suffering from these storms. For more on the May 20th storms, see the NOAA Storm Prediction Center Storm Report.
  • Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education
    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of ...Read more

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    Kansas Legislator Proposes Bill to Outlaw Sustainability Education

    A bill has been introduced in the Kansas legislature this week that would prohibit the promotion of sustainability. Here is a link to the one-page bill: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2366_00_0000.pdf. See report on Bloomberg News.
This is a photograph of cumulus clouds.
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of Carlye Calvin

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How Clouds Form

Cloud Formation Due to Surface Heating

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Cloud Formation Due to Weather Fronts

Cumulus

Cumulus clouds belong to the Clouds with Vertical Growth group. They are puffy white or light gray clouds that look like floating cotton balls. Cumulus clouds have sharp outlines and a flat base. Seeing cumulus clouds in the sky can mean the weather will be good or bad.


Last modified May 21, 2009 by Becca Hatheway.

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Clouds with Vertical Growth

Clouds with vertical growth include cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds develop by warm air rising from the surface. They grow high up into the atmosphere rather than spreading out. Cumulus and...more

Cumulus Humilis Clouds

Cumulus clouds can be associated with good or bad weather. Cumulus humilis clouds are common in the summer and are associated with fair weather. They are usually widely spaced in the sky, have a flat base...more

Cumulus Congestus Clouds

Cumulus clouds can be associated with good or bad weather. Cumulus congestus clouds, also called towering cumulus, are in the last stage of development before becoming cumulonimbus clouds. The tops of...more

Nimbostratus

Nimbostratus clouds are part of the Low Cloud group. They are dark gray with a ragged base. Nimbostratus clouds produce rain or snow. Sometimes they cover the whole sky and you can't see the edges of...more

Finding Answers in the Clouds

Scientists are sending tiny airplanes buzzing in the sky to find out how air pollution can impact weather, climate, and global warming. The tiny airplanes look like regular planes but they have only a...more

Cloud Formation and Weather Fronts

Weather fronts can cause clouds to form. Fronts happen when two large masses of air collide into each other at the Earth's surface. Warm fronts produce clouds when warm air replaces cold air by sliding...more

Altocumulus

Altocumulus clouds are part of the Middle Cloud group. They are grayish-white with one part of the cloud darker than the other. Altocumulus clouds usually form in groups. Altocumulus clouds are about...more

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