You might want to begin by visiting exploring the relationship between temperature and dew point near the surface and the altitude at which those puffy summertime cumulus clouds form.

Then you should explore growing a cloud by adjusting the vertical profile of temperature and dew point temperature. Just position the cursor over one of the data points and then drag the cursor (press and hold the button while moving) to increase or decrease the value. For starters, make the lower part of the atmosphere warmer and wetter (increase the temperatures and dew point values). Can you make a cloud grow?



The Verner E. Suomi Virtual Museum development funded in part by the National Science Foundation Grant #EAR9809458.  Material presented is Copyrighted (C) 1999 by Steve Ackerman and Tom Whittaker.  If you have questions or comments, please let us know!