Mystery of Large Cloud Bottoms: Why Are They Flat?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The flat bottoms of large clouds are primarily due to a layer of air with differing temperature or pressure that inhibits cloud formation. This phenomenon is similar to the flat "anvil-shaped" tops of tall clouds, such as thunderheads. The cloud base, where significant condensation occurs, is defined by the point at which warm, humid air rises and cools to its dew point. A uniform temperature and humidity at a specific height contribute to the flatness of the cloud base.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of convective cloud formation
  • Knowledge of dew point and condensation processes
  • Familiarity with atmospheric temperature and pressure layers
  • Basic principles of meteorology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of convective cloud formation
  • Study the relationship between temperature gradients and cloud formation
  • Explore the characteristics of anvil-shaped clouds and their formation
  • Learn about atmospheric pressure systems and their impact on weather patterns
USEFUL FOR

Meteorologists, atmospheric scientists, and students of meteorology seeking to understand cloud formation dynamics and the factors influencing cloud structure.

FulhamFan3
Messages
134
Reaction score
0
Why are the bottoms of large clouds flat?
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
Because there's a layer of air there with a different temperature or pressure (depending) that's not conducive to cloud formation. It's the same reason that very tall clouds, thunderheads for instance, have flat "anvil-shaped" tops.
 
Why is this layer so abrupt instead of being like a transitional gradient?
 
in convective cloud formation, warm humid air rises until the point that it is cooled sufficiently for water to condense (i.e. reaches its dew point). This point is called the cloud base, and significant condensation will not occur below it. As long as the air has a fairly uniform temperature at a given height, and the rising air is of fairly uniform humidity, this should give a pretty flat cloud base.
 

Similar threads

How large can a cloud cover be?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Is Cosmic Ray Influence on Cloud Cover and Climate Overlooked?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Why are there clouds over the Intertropical Convergence Zone?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Clouds have flat bottoms from condensation
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
12K
Resources for the physics of clouds
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
A 'what if' model of cloud cover and increased warming
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Cloud cropping/plureite sensors
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
How was Earth flat in Grenvillean?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Cloud Atlas (not the movie) Gets an Update
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Cloud Altitude: Understanding the Height Range of Clouds
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K