Clouds

1. Consider the following statements: 1. High clouds primarily reflect so

Consider the following statements:
1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth’s surface and thus cause warming effect.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
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The correct answer is D) Neither 1 nor 2.
Statement 1 is incorrect. High clouds, such as cirrus clouds, are typically thin and made of ice crystals. They are relatively transparent to incoming solar radiation (little reflection) but effectively absorb and re-emit outgoing infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface, trapping heat and causing a *warming* effect.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Low clouds, such as stratus and cumulus clouds, are generally thick and made of water droplets. They have a high albedo, meaning they are very effective at reflecting incoming solar radiation back into space, thus causing a net *cooling* effect on the Earth’s surface. While they also absorb and emit infrared radiation, their dominant effect on the overall energy balance is cooling due to solar reflection.
The impact of clouds on climate is complex and depends on their altitude, type, and properties. High clouds tend to warm the planet, while low clouds tend to cool it. The overall net effect of clouds globally is a cooling influence, primarily due to the strong reflection of solar radiation by low clouds outweighing the greenhouse effect of high clouds.

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2. Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night?

Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night?

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Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth's surface.
Clouds reflect back the Earth's radiation.
The Earth's surface would have low temperature on cloudy nights.
Clouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
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The correct answer is A) Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth’s surface.
Dew forms when the temperature of a surface drops below the dew point of the surrounding air, causing water vapor to condense. On a clear night, the Earth’s surface radiates thermal energy (long-wave radiation) into space. This outgoing radiation leads to significant cooling of the ground surface.
On a cloudy night, clouds act as a thermal blanket. They efficiently absorb the outgoing long-wave radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface. The absorbed energy warms the clouds, and they re-emit radiation in all directions, including back down towards the Earth’s surface. This downward radiation reduces the net loss of heat from the surface.
Because the clouds reduce the net radiative cooling, the Earth’s surface and the air near it do not cool down as much on a cloudy night compared to a clear night. If the temperature does not drop sufficiently to reach the dew point, dew will not form. Option A accurately describes the key process (absorption of radiation) that prevents significant surface cooling. While clouds also re-emit radiation back (related to Option B), the initial absorption is the mechanism by which they trap the outgoing heat. Option C is incorrect because cloudy nights are typically warmer than clear nights due to the blanketing effect. Option D is irrelevant to dew formation by radiation.

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3. Which one of the following statement with reference to hailstones is N

Which one of the following statement with reference to hailstones is NOT correct ?

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Their formation usually occurs during the monsoon season
They are associated with dense cumulonimbus clouds
Rain that forms in the warmer, upper layer solidifies into tiny ice pellets or hailstones in the lower, subfreezing layer
Hailstones have multiple, concentric layers of ice
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
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Statement C is NOT correct.
Hailstones form within strong thunderstorms (cumulonimbus clouds). They require strong updrafts that carry water droplets high into the freezing parts of the cloud where they accrete ice. Hailstones grow by repeatedly being lifted and falling through layers with supercooled water before eventually becoming too heavy and falling to the ground. Statement C incorrectly describes rain from warmer upper layers solidifying in lower subfreezing layers; in reality, ice forms and grows in the cold upper parts and can melt as it falls through warmer lower parts, but hailstones are defined as reaching the ground as ice.
Hailstones are characterized by their layered structure, indicating growth by accretion of ice in different conditions. They are indeed associated with intense cumulonimbus clouds. While hailstorms can occur during the monsoon, they are not exclusively or “usually” limited to that season and are common in other thunderstorm-prone periods like pre-monsoon.

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4. Which one of the following types of cloud is characterized by continuo

Which one of the following types of cloud is characterized by continuous precipitation?

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Cirrocumulus
Cumulus
Nimbostratus
Cumulonimbus
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2018
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Nimbostratus clouds are low-to-mid-level clouds that are dark, diffuse, and shapeless, and are characterized by continuous precipitation (rain, snow, or sleet) that is typically light to moderate but widespread and persistent.
Different cloud types are associated with different forms and intensities of precipitation. Cumulonimbus clouds produce heavy, showery precipitation often accompanied by thunderstorms, while nimbostratus clouds are associated with steady, prolonged precipitation. Cirrocumulus are high-altitude clouds producing no precipitation, and Cumulus are fair-weather clouds, though larger cumulus congestus can produce light showers.
The prefix “nimbo-” indicates a cloud that produces precipitation. Thus, Nimbostratus (layered rain cloud) and Cumulonimbus (convective rain cloud) are the primary precipitation-producing cloud types. However, Nimbostratus is specifically linked with *continuous* precipitation.

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5. Which of the following statements regarding clouds is/are correct ?

Which of the following statements regarding clouds is/are correct ?

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  • 1. Clouds are classified on the basis of altitude and their form.
  • 2. According to altitude they are classified as High, Middle and Low clouds.
  • 3. Stratus, Nimbostratus and Stratocumulus are high clouds.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2024
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Statement 1 is correct. Clouds are indeed classified based on their altitude (High, Middle, Low, and vertical development) and their form or appearance (e.g., cirrus, cumulus, stratus). Statement 2 is correct. The classification based on altitude includes High clouds (above 6 km), Middle clouds (between 2 and 6 km), and Low clouds (below 2 km). Statement 3 is incorrect. Stratus, Nimbostratus, and Stratocumulus are classified as low clouds (with bases typically below 2 km). High clouds include Cirrus, Cirrostratus, and Cirrocumulus.
The main cloud types based on form are Cirrus (fibrous), Cumulus (heaped/lumpy), and Stratus (layered). Combinations and variations of these forms, along with their altitude, lead to the more specific cloud classifications. ‘Nimbus’ or ‘nimbostratus’ indicates precipitation.
Clouds of vertical development, such as Cumulus and Cumulonimbus, span multiple altitude layers. Cumulonimbus clouds, for instance, can have their base in the low layer but extend up to the high layer, producing thunderstorms. Middle clouds often have the prefix ‘Alto-‘, e.g., Altocumulus and Altostratus.

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6. Which one of the following clouds is a rain-bearing cloud ?

Which one of the following clouds is a rain-bearing cloud ?

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Cumulus cloud
Stratus cloud
Nimbus cloud
Cirrus cloud
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2021
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The term “Nimbus” indicates a cloud that produces precipitation. Nimbostratus clouds are low to mid-level clouds that bring steady rain or snow, while Cumulonimbus clouds are large, towering clouds associated with thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and lightning. Therefore, Nimbus clouds (or clouds with the nimbus prefix/suffix) are the primary rain-bearing clouds.
Clouds are classified based on their form and altitude. Cumulus clouds are puffy, often fair-weather clouds but can develop into rain clouds. Stratus clouds are flat, layered clouds that can bring drizzle. Cirrus clouds are high, wispy clouds made of ice crystals, typically not associated with precipitation reaching the ground. The presence of “nimbus” in a cloud name signifies precipitation.
Cumulonimbus clouds are particularly noteworthy as they are associated with intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and other severe weather phenomena. Nimbostratus clouds, though less dramatic, can produce prolonged periods of light to moderate precipitation.

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7. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

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List I
(Cloud)		 List II
(Characteristic)
A. Cirrus 1. Rain giving
B. Stratus 2. Feathery appearance
C. Nimbus 3. Vertically growing
D. Cumulus 4. Horizontally spreading
A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
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Let’s match the cloud types with their characteristics:
A. Cirrus: Cirrus clouds are high-altitude clouds composed of ice crystals. They are thin, wispy, and have a feathery appearance. So, Cirrus matches with Feathery appearance (2).
B. Stratus: Stratus clouds are low-level, flat, and horizontally extended clouds that often cover the sky like a blanket. So, Stratus matches with Horizontally spreading (4).
C. Nimbus: Nimbus is a prefix or suffix indicating a cloud that produces precipitation (rain, snow, etc.). Nimbostratus and Cumulonimbus are examples of rain-giving clouds. So, Nimbus matches with Rain giving (1).
D. Cumulus: Cumulus clouds are puffy, white clouds with flat bases and rounded tops. They often develop vertically. Large, vertically developed cumulus clouds can become cumulonimbus clouds. So, Cumulus matches with Vertically growing (3).
Putting it together: A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. This matches option C.
Clouds are classified based on their altitude and appearance. Cirrus are high and feathery, Stratus are low and layered, Nimbus indicates rain, and Cumulus are puffy and grow vertically.
The main cloud types are Cirrus (high, wispy), Cumulus (puffy, vertical), Stratus (layered, horizontal), and Nimbus (rain-bearing). Combinations like Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus, Altocumulus (mid-level puffy), Altostratus (mid-level layered), Cumulonimbus (large vertical rain cloud), and Nimbostratus (low/mid-level rain cloud) also exist.

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8. Which among the following has the maximum albedo?

Which among the following has the maximum albedo?

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Vegetation
Concrete
Desert
Clouds
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2021
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The correct answer is Clouds.
Albedo is the measure of the reflectivity of a surface. Clouds, especially fresh, thick clouds, are very effective at reflecting solar radiation back into space and typically have a high albedo (ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 or even higher).
Other surfaces listed have generally lower albedos: Vegetation (like forests) typically has a low albedo (around 0.1-0.2) as it absorbs sunlight for photosynthesis. Concrete surfaces have moderate albedo (around 0.1-0.3). Desert surfaces (sand) can have moderate to high albedo (around 0.2-0.4) depending on the color and composition of the sand, but generally lower than bright clouds. Fresh snow has the highest albedo among natural surfaces, but it was not an option.

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9. Cumulonimbus clouds develop from which among the following clouds ?

Cumulonimbus clouds develop from which among the following clouds ?

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Cumulus congestus clouds
Cumulus and Nimbostratus clouds
Cumulus and Altostratus clouds
Cirrocumulus clouds
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2024
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Cumulonimbus clouds are towering, vertically developing clouds that are often associated with thunderstorms. They grow from cumulus clouds, specifically from the stage known as cumulus congestus, which are towering cumulus clouds. The rapid vertical development fueled by strong updrafts transforms cumulus congestus into cumulonimbus.
Clouds are classified by their form and altitude. Cumulus clouds are puffy, heap-like clouds that develop vertically. Cumulonimbus is the most vertically developed type of cumulus cloud.
Nimbostratus is a low, layered cloud that produces continuous rain or snow. Altostratus is a middle-altitude, layered cloud. Cirrocumulus is a high-altitude cloud composed of ice crystals, appearing as small puffy masses in rows. These are distinct cloud types and not developmental stages of cumulonimbus.

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10. Which of the following is the correct order of clouds in ascending ord

Which of the following is the correct order of clouds in ascending order (lowest to highest) of height from surface ?

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  • 1. Cirrocumulus
  • 2. Nimbostratus
  • 3. Cirrus
  • 4. Altostratus

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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1, 2, 4, 3
2, 4, 3, 1
3, 2, 1, 4
2, 4, 1, 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
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The correct option is D, representing the order 2, 4, 1, 3. This order corresponds to Nimbostratus, Altostratus, Cirrocumulus, and Cirrus, which is generally the ascending order of height from the surface.
– Clouds are classified based on their altitude. Low clouds are typically below 2,000 meters (6,500 ft), middle clouds between 2,000 and 6,000 meters (6,500 – 20,000 ft), and high clouds above 6,000 meters (20,000 ft).
– Nimbostratus (2) is a low-level cloud type, though it can extend vertically through the middle layer. Its base is low.
– Altostratus (4) is a middle-level cloud type.
– Cirrocumulus (1) and Cirrus (3) are high-level cloud types.
– Among the high clouds, Cirrus are generally found at the highest altitudes. Therefore, a typical ascending order is Low -> Middle -> High (Cirrocumulus) -> High (Cirrus).
Cloud classification also includes types based on appearance (e.g., stratus, cumulus, cirrus) and process (e.g., nimbus indicating precipitation). Understanding cloud types and their typical altitudes is important in meteorology and weather observation.

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