I was just wondering about that. I looked up cloud formation on the web, and I found out exactly how they are formed. However, nowhere that I could find states why cumulous clouds are flat at the bottom. It is just a point of curiousity, and all the more so since I put the time in researching it just to come up empty. If anyone has the answer to that question it would be greatly appreciated.

IIRC it has to do with the pressure system, but can not be sure...been to long since science classes ;)

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc...0/wea00041.htm
this will give you the answer ;)

[ 06-22-2004, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: Stormymystic ]

Maybe the air current beneath it? Which as Stormy stated would be caused by the differences air pressure. Hmmm I may just go look in the encyclopedia on clouds.

hehe

:D


[edit fixed link (Stupid fortunecity)]
edit again, works if you do a "save target"

[ 06-23-2004, 03:29 AM: Message edited by: Jorath Calar ]

Ho-ho - bad link. [img]graemlins/troutslap.gif[/img]

because they are round at the top!!!

Because that's the altitude where the humidity goes to 100%.

Thanks for the replies (especially your link Stormy; I read through that site but missed that one...). I couldn't get Jorath's link to work, though (I'm at the university right now, and it says I do not have the security clearance). I'll check it when I get home tonight.

Without knowing the EXACT answer, just to point out they are not perfectly flat at the bottom, they just seem that way from as distance. Flying nearer to them will show that. But like all clouds they suck big time! the pressure below the cloud is very strong and will 'suck' you up into the cloud unless you control your pitch / speed.

Edit for bad spelling..as usual :rolleyes:

[ 06-24-2004, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: wellard ]