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Cloud
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
View a time-lapse video of cloud formations rolling across the sky followed by a thunderstorm
How do clouds float?
Learn about the four main types of clouds formed at different altitudes
What Is Cloud Seeding?
cloud: cumulonimbus lightning: cloud-to-ground Sun Altocumulus undulatus clouds form parallel, wavy bands across the sky, brightly illuminated in orange and gold by the setting or rising sun above a dark horizon. cloud vortices false-colour mosaic of the Great Red Spot
At a Glance
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cloud summary
Quizzes
Lightning over a farm field. Weather electricity thunderstorm light energy tree
Facts You Should Know: Weather Quiz
Umbrella colored like a rainbow sticking out above a sea of black umbrellas while it rains. (storm, weather)
Weather Words Vocabulary Quiz
Model of a molecule. Atom, Biology, Molecular Structure, Science, Science and Technology. Homepage 2010 arts and entertainment, history and society
Science Quiz
rain. Child in the rain, wearing a rain coat, under a yellow umbrella. April Showers weather climate rain storm water drops
April Showers to March’s Lions and Lambs
ten types of clouds and their elevation: cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, altocumulus, altostratus, nimbostratus, stratocumulus, stratus, cumulus, cumulonimbus
Earth’s Atmosphere and Clouds
Related Questions

Cloud: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 10, 2026
Invalidated site: ABC listen - Late Night Live - Are cloud patterns changing with the climate? Nov 10, 2026
Add new Web site: Space.com - What are different types of clouds and how do they form? Nov 07, 2026
Add new Web site: National Weather Service - Cloud Development. Apr 09, 2026
Add new Web site: PNAS - Cloud fraction response to aerosol driven by nighttime processes. Feb 26, 2026
Add new Web site: IOPscience - Journal of Physics: Conference Series - Effects of clouds on global climate (PDF). Jan 17, 2026
Add new Web site: ABC listen - Late Night Live - Are cloud patterns changing with the climate? Nov 03, 2025
Add new Web site: Academia - Clouds and movements (PDF). Jul 05, 2025
Add new Web site: The University of Hawaiʻi Pressbooks - Atmospheric Processes and Phenomena - Clouds. Nov 06, 2024
Add new Web site: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Clouds. Aug 07, 2024
Media added. Jun 03, 2024
Add new Web site: National Wildlife Coordinationg Group - Clouds and Precipitation. Jan 20, 2024
Add new Web site: Salt Lake Community College Pressbooks - Cloud Types and Formation. Nov 24, 2023
Add new Web site: NOAA National Weather Service - Cloud Classification. Aug 03, 2023
Add new Web site: Royal Meteorological Society - MetLink - Clouds. Aug 03, 2023
Video and links added. May 31, 2023
Add new Web site: Live Science - Types of Clouds. Mar 10, 2023
Add new Web site: Met Office - Clouds. Jan 25, 2023
Add new Web site: Geosciences LibreTexts - Clouds. Dec 16, 2022
Add new Web site: NASA - The Importance of Understanding Clouds (PDF). Apr 20, 2022
Add new Web site: KidsGeo.com - Clouds. Dec 22, 2016
Add new Web site: Science Kids - Fun Science and technology For Kids! - Cloud. Sep 13, 2016
Add new Web site: Easy Science for Kids - Different Types of Clouds. Sep 13, 2016
Add new Web site: Weather for Kids - Cloud. Sep 13, 2016
Add new Web site: Cultural China - Arts - Biography of Huang Gong-Wang. May 30, 2014
Add new Web site: Weather Wiz Kids - Cloud. May 30, 2014
Add new Web site: Cultural China - Arts - Biography of Huang Tingjian. May 30, 2014
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Cloud. Feb 19, 2013
Add new Web site: Quatr.us - Cloud. Feb 19, 2013
Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - How Clouds Work. Feb 15, 2013
Added images of cumulonimbus clouds and a cloud-to-ground lightning strike. Feb 02, 2012
Add new Web site: ThinkQuest - Formation of Clouds. Nov 23, 2011
Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - How Clouds Form. Nov 23, 2011
Added video describing types of clouds and altitudes at which they occur. Feb 09, 2011
Added new Web site: Window To The Universe - Clouds. Apr 23, 2009
Added new Web site: Window To The Universe - Studying Clouds and Climate. Apr 23, 2009
Added new Web site: National Geographic - Science - Cloud. Apr 17, 2009
Added new Web site: Enchanted Learning - Cloud. Apr 13, 2009
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - How Clouds Work. Dec 23, 2008
Added new Web site: The "Weather Dude" - Clouds. Jul 01, 2008
Added new Web site: Geography Site - Clouds. Apr 12, 2007
Added new Web site: Plymouth State Weather Center - Plymouth State Meteorology Program Cloud Boutique. Jun 16, 2006
Article revised. Jan 19, 2006
Article revised. May 27, 1999
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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