The question "Why are there 9 clouds?" is actually misleading. The referenced information explains a cloud numbering system, not the number of types of clouds. The system assigned numbers from 0 to 9 to ten cloud groups, not types. These numbers were used to make recording cloud observations easier.
Cloud Numbering System Explained
Howard and others created a simplified system for identifying different types of clouds. Here's how it works:
- They categorized clouds into ten groups.
- They assigned each group a number from 0 to 9.
- The lowest cloud types (stratus) were given the number 0.
- The tallest cloud types (cumulonimbus or thunderstorm clouds) were assigned the number 9.
This system uses numbers as a shorthand for the cloud groups to record observations quickly and efficiently.
Table of Cloud Numbering
| Number | Cloud Group Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lowest Clouds | Stratus |
| 9 | Tallest Clouds | Cumulonimbus (Thunderstorm Clouds) |
Key Points:
- The numbering system does not mean there are only nine cloud types. The system uses ten cloud groups, numbered zero through nine, for easy recording.
- The numbers represent different vertical heights of clouds, from low (0) to tall (9).
- This simplified numerical system is designed to help observers quickly record cloud observations.
Therefore, the idea of there being exactly nine clouds isn't accurate. Instead, it was a numbering system designed to make cloud observation and recording easier. The highest numerical value used in that particular system is 9, associated with the tallest cloud type.
