Clouds Seem Light, But They Are Actually Quite Heavy

Whether viewed as soaring in the sky or down on land, clouds may seem cotton-life, soft, fluffy, and light. However, Live Science notes that these structures are significantly heavier than they appear.

Clouds Are Made of Air and Several Millions of Minute Droplets of Water

The composition of clouds mainly comprises air and millions of minute water droplets. These droplets come into being as water condenses surrounding a particular seed particle. These tiny particles could comprise anything, be it vapors expelled by trees or nitric acid.

Average Cumulus Cloud Weighs Worth a Hundred Elephants

There are many ways to gauge a cloud's weight. For one, the water vapor that makes a cloud can be weighed. According to hydrologist Armin Sorooshian, for this to be done, it is necessary to know the cloud's dimensions as well as the level of density that these droplets are packed together.

Years before, atmospheric scientist Margaret "Peggy" LeMone from the National Center for Atmospheric Research thought about the water weight in a typical cloud that is cumulus. According to Science Alert, Peggy did the math to know this. She calculated how a typical cumulus has an estimated length of around one km and has a cube-like form. Thus, an average cumulus should have more or less the same height and width.

Further computing this, the cloud was assumed to have a billion cubic meters of volume. If this is multiplied by its density, this roughly translates to 500,000 kg. LeMone also explained that this could be the equivalent of up to a hundred elephants.

Clouds Do Not Have the Same Weight

LiveScience notes how cloud weights vary across cloud types. Because cirrus clouds contain less water in each volume unit, they are much lighter. On the other hand, pre-storm clouds, known as cumulonimbus clouds, are usually significantly heavier.

However, Sorooshian notes that the cloud's total volume is not factored alone by droplets but by air. According to Live Science, if scientists want to go even further than LeMone's findings, it is necessary to consider air weight between droplets.

Why Don't Clouds Fall Even if They Are Heavy?

Considering the weight of clouds, it may be surprising to note how they can steadily float in the sky. According to LeMone, cloud droplets are so tiny that their falling speed is quite slow.

Live Science notes that a typical cloud water droplet is a million times tinier than a typical raindrop. This ratio is starkly similar to that between the earth and the sun. Wind flows in high altitude blow such minute droplets, allowing them to float longer compared to the period if they were stationary.

Sorooshian also notes that heat convection plays a part in keeping these clouds afloat. He notes that the density of a cloud is lesser compared to the air that is right under it. As warm air and water rise, the clouds gain greater buoyancy compared to the chilly water and air under them.

Nevertheless, clouds still fall, as demonstrated in the rain. Water droplets chill, condense, grow and eventually become so heavy that they fall onto the earth. Though raindrops are still significantly larger than cloud droplets, the University Center for Atmospheric Research notes that a raindrop only has a diameter of two millimeters. These drops get distributed so that over 550 water tons do not fall immediately.

Check out more news and information on Clouds in Science Times.