Clouds Archives

11. Consider the following statements about clouds : 1. Two major forms

Consider the following statements about clouds :

1. Two major forms of clouds are stratiform and cumuliform.
2. According to the altitude, clouds are classified as high clouds, middle clouds and low clouds.
3. Stratus, nimbostratus and stratocumulus are types of high clouds.
4. Clouds having nimbo attached to their name produce precipitation.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 4

2 and 4 only

1, 3 and 4

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2023

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The correct statements are 1, 2, and 4.

Statement 1 is correct. Clouds are broadly classified based on their form into stratiform (layered or sheet-like) and cumuliform (piled, lumpy, or puffy). Other forms include cirriform (wispy or fibrous) and nimbiform (rain-bearing).
Statement 2 is correct. Clouds are also classified by altitude into three main levels: High clouds (base typically above 6 km), Middle clouds (base between 2 and 6 km), and Low clouds (base below 2 km). There is also vertical development clouds (like Cumulonimbus) that span multiple levels.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Stratus, nimbostratus, and stratocumulus are classified as low clouds (base below 2 km). High clouds include Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, and Cirrostratus.
Statement 4 is correct. The prefix “nimbo-” or suffix “-nimbus” is used to indicate clouds that produce precipitation. Nimbostratus and Cumulonimbus are the primary rain-bearing clouds.

The ten basic cloud genera recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus (High), Altocumulus, Altostratus (Middle), Stratus, Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus (Low), and Cumulonimbus (Vertical).

12. Consider the following statements on ‘Fog’: 1. Fog is simply a cloud

Consider the following statements on ‘Fog’:

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1. Fog is simply a cloud that forms close to the ground.
2. Radiation fog is associated with radiation cooling of the land at night.
3. Advection fog forms when moisture is blown over a cold surface and is chilled by contact.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2023

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All three statements given about fog are correct.

Fog is a meteorological phenomenon that reduces visibility, caused by tiny water droplets suspended in the air near the ground.

Statement 1 is correct: Fog is essentially a stratus cloud that forms at or very near the Earth’s surface. The physical process is the same as cloud formation, but the location is different. Statement 2 is correct: Radiation fog forms under clear skies, when the ground loses heat rapidly through radiation, cooling the layer of air immediately above it below its dew point. This cooling leads to condensation and fog formation. Statement 3 is correct: Advection fog forms when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cooler surface (land or water). As the warm air passes over the cold surface, it is cooled from below, causing the water vapor to condense and form fog.

13. 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 :

List I (Cloud Form)	List II (Characteristic)
A. Cirrus	1. Storm clouds
B. Cumulus	2. High fog “Low Ceiling”
C. Nimbostratus	3. Fair-weather clouds
D. Stratus	4. Entirely of ice particles

Code :

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2 1 3 4

2 3 1 4

4 3 1 2

4 1 3 2

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

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Cirrus clouds are high-level clouds composed entirely of ice crystals. Cumulus clouds are typically puffy and associated with fair weather. Nimbostratus clouds are dark, layered precipitation clouds (“storm clouds” in a general sense of bringing significant precipitation). Stratus clouds form a flat, grey layer and can resemble fog, often causing a “low ceiling”. Matching these characteristics: A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2. This corresponds to option C.

Cloud classification is based on appearance and altitude. Major types include Cirrus (high, wispy, ice), Cumulus (puffy, vertical development), Stratus (low, layered), and Nimbus (rain/precipitation bearing). Combinations exist like cumulonimbus (thunderstorms) and nimbostratus (continuous rain/snow).

High clouds (above 6 km): Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus. Middle clouds (2-6 km): Altocumulus, Altostratus. Low clouds (below 2 km): Stratus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus. Clouds with vertical development: Cumulus, Cumulonimbus.

14. Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics :

Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics :

1. High, thin, puffy white clouds of ice crystals that look like ripples
2. They appear between 20000 feet and 40000 feet above the Earth’s surface
3. One of its types is called a ‘mackerel sky’ because the clouds resemble large fish scales, especially when they are coloured pink at sunset

Select the correct answer.

Altostratus

Cirrostratus

Altocumulus

Cirrocumulus

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2024

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The characteristics described accurately match Cirrocumulus clouds.
1. High, thin, puffy white clouds of ice crystals that look like ripples: Cirrocumulus are high-altitude (Cirro-) clouds that appear as small, rippled, puffy patches or globules (cumulus-like). They are composed entirely of ice crystals due to their high altitude.
2. They appear between 20000 feet and 40000 feet above the Earth’s surface: This is the typical altitude range for Cirrocumulus clouds (classified as high-level clouds).
3. One of its types is called a ‘mackerel sky’ because the clouds resemble large fish scales, especially when they are coloured pink at sunset: A “mackerel sky” is a common term for a sky filled with Cirrocumulus or Altocumulus undulatus clouds, which have a rippled or wavy appearance resembling fish scales. The description explicitly links this to one of the types, confirming Cirrocumulus.

Altostratus clouds are mid-level layer clouds. Cirrostratus clouds are high-level, thin, sheet-like clouds that can cause halos around the sun or moon. Altocumulus clouds are mid-level, puffy clouds, but are composed of water droplets or ice crystals depending on temperature, and are typically larger than Cirrocumulus patches.

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15. Consider the following characteristics of a cloud type : 1. They ar

Consider the following characteristics of a cloud type :

1. They are born through convection.
2. Only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lightning.
3. They are large cauliflower-shaped towers, often ‘anvil tops’.

Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics.

Stratocumulus

Cumulonimbus

Cirrocumulus

Nimbostratus

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2023

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The given characteristics describe a Cumulonimbus cloud:
1. They are born through convection: Cumulonimbus clouds form from strong vertical updrafts in unstable atmospheric conditions, characteristic of convection.
2. Only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lightning: Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderclouds (cumulonimbus means “accumulated rain-bearing”). They are the only type of cloud capable of producing lightning and thunder. They are also the primary source of hail.
3. They are large cauliflower-shaped towers, often ‘anvil tops’: The vigorous convection within a cumulonimbus cloud gives it a towering, cauliflower-like appearance. When the updraft reaches the tropopause (the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere), it spreads out horizontally because of the temperature inversion there, forming a characteristic anvil shape.

– Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with thunderstorms and severe weather.
– They are characterized by strong vertical development and often have an anvil shape.
– They are the source of lightning, thunder, and hail.

– Stratocumulus clouds are low-level, lumpy clouds that may produce drizzle or light rain.
– Cirrocumulus clouds are high-level, thin, patchy clouds composed of ice crystals.
– Nimbostratus clouds are dark, gray, layered clouds that produce continuous rain or snow, but typically lack thunder, lightning, or hail and do not exhibit significant vertical development or an anvil shape.

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16. 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 :

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

Code:

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A 3, B 1, C 4, D 2

A 2, B 1, C 4, D 3

A 2, B 4, C 1, D 3

A 3, B 4, C 1, D 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2018

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Matching the cloud types with their characteristics:
A. Cirrus: High-altitude clouds composed of ice crystals, appearing thin, wispy, and feathery. Matches characteristic 2 (Feathery appearance).
B. Stratus: Low-altitude, layered clouds that spread horizontally, often covering the entire sky. Matches characteristic 4 (Horizontally spreading).
C. Nimbus: This term denotes a precipitating cloud. Nimbostratus and Cumulonimbus are major rain-giving clouds. Matches characteristic 1 (Rain-giving).
D. Cumulus: Puffy, lumpy clouds that often have flat bases and can grow vertically, sometimes developing into cumulonimbus clouds. Matches characteristic 3 (Vertically growing).
Thus, the correct matching is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. This corresponds to option C.

– Cloud classification is based on altitude and appearance.
– Cirrus are high and feathery; Stratus are low and layered; Cumulus are puffy and potentially vertical; Nimbus indicates precipitation.

Clouds are classified into ten main types (genera) based on their appearance and height. These genera are further divided into species and varieties. Understanding the basic characteristics of major cloud types helps in interpreting weather patterns.

17. Which one of the following is applicable to collision-coalescence proc

Which one of the following is applicable to collision-coalescence process of precipitation?

Clouds which do not extend beyond the freezing level

Clouds which extend beyond the freezing level

All types of clouds

Cirrocumulus cloud

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2018

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The collision-coalescence process is a mechanism of rain formation that is most effective in warm clouds, i.e., clouds where the temperature is above freezing (0°C) throughout. In these clouds, larger cloud droplets fall and collide with smaller droplets, merging with them (coalescing). As they collect more droplets, they grow larger until they become heavy enough to fall as raindrops. This process does not require ice crystals.

The collision-coalescence process is the primary mechanism for precipitation in warm clouds (not extending beyond the freezing level).

Clouds that extend beyond the freezing level often involve the ice crystal process (Bergeron-Findeisen process), where supercooled water droplets evaporate and deposit water vapor onto ice crystals, which then grow and fall as snow or melt into rain. Cirrocumulus clouds are high-altitude ice clouds.

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18. Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are cor

Which of the following statements with regard to cloudburst is/are correct?

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1. It is defined as sudden localized very heavy downpour with cloud thunder and lightning.
2. It mostly occurs in the hilly areas.
3. It results into very high intensity of rainfall, i.e., 250 mm-300 mm in a couple of hours.
4. It occurs only during daytime.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3

1, 3 and 4

2 and 3 only

2 only

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2017

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Statements 1, 2, and 3 are generally considered correct descriptions of cloudbursts. Statement 4 is incorrect. Cloudbursts are defined by their suddenness, localized nature, and very high intensity of rainfall, often accompanied by thunder and lightning (Statement 1). They predominantly occur in hilly or mountainous regions due to orographic lift supporting intense convective activity (Statement 2). They result in exceptionally high rainfall rates, often exceeding 100 mm per hour, with figures like 250-300 mm in a few hours representing extreme events but consistent with the description of very high intensity (Statement 3). Cloudbursts can occur at any time of day or night, not just during the daytime (Statement 4).

A cloudburst is an extreme weather phenomenon involving a large amount of precipitation falling in a short time over a small area. Key characteristics include suddenness, high intensity, and localized occurrence, often in hilly terrain.

The high intensity of rain during a cloudburst can lead to flash floods, landslides, and significant destruction, especially in fragile mountain environments. While convective activity is typically associated with daytime heating, the atmospheric conditions leading to cloudbursts can develop and release precipitation at any hour.