Cloud Formations

Learn how does virga form when rain falls through dry air and evaporates before hitting the ground. Study the physics of disappearing precipitation.

Valley fog formation occurs when radiative cooling and drainage flow trap moist air in low terrain overnight. Understand how temperature inversions work.

Learn how upslope fog formation occurs through orographic lifting and adiabatic cooling on Australian mountain slopes.

Advection fog formation happens when moist air cools over cold surfaces. Learn how temperature gradients and marine layers create coastal fog.

How do contrails form from jet exhaust in cold air? Learn why ice crystals appear behind aircraft and how atmospheric water vapour affects them.

Wondering how do fallstreak clouds form? Learn how supercooled water droplets and aircraft triggers create these unique hole punch cloud gaps and virga.

Pileus cloud formation occurs when strong updrafts lift moist air to form smooth caps above storms. See how these accessory clouds signal storm growth.

Learn how Kelvin–Helmholtz clouds Australia form from wind shear and see why these breaking wave patterns appear on layered cloud decks.

Learn how roll cloud formation works when cool air lifts warm moist air along a gust front. Explore the science behind these detached tube clouds.

Shelf cloud formation happens when rain-cooled air lifts warm air along a gust front. Learn how these low arcus clouds mark the edge of a storm.

How do mammatus clouds form via sinking air and ice sublimation? Learn how these pouch-like storm features develop under thunderstorm anvils and Read.

Learn how do lenticular clouds form through orographic lifting and mountain waves in stable moist air.