In the context of clouds and raindrop formation, which one of the following give the minimum precipitation and are found at great heights (up to 12 kms) from the Earth’s surface ?
- ACirrusCorrect
- BNimbostratus
- CCumulus
- DCumulonimbus
Solution
Concept
High clouds
Step-by-step solution
1. High clouds (above about 6 km, up to 12 km): cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus – composed of ice crystals and give almost no precipitation. 2. Nimbostratus and cumulonimbus are rain clouds at lower heights; cumulus are fair-weather clouds.
Explanation
Cirrus clouds are thin, wispy ice-crystal clouds at great heights and they do not produce measurable precipitation.
Why the other options are wrong
Nimbostratus and cumulonimbus clouds give heavy precipitation. Cumulus clouds are at low heights.
Shortcut
Cirrus = high and no rain; Nimbus = rain.
Common mistake
Choosing cumulus.
Correct answer: A) Cirrus