Clouds are neither inherently cold nor hot. They are formed at different altitudes, and their temperature depends on the altitude. The air temperature decreases as you go higher, and this directly affects the temperature of the clouds formed at those levels.
Here are some key points to consider:
- Warm Clouds: These clouds are made up of tiny water droplets and are typically found at lower altitudes where temperatures are warmer.
- Cold Clouds: These clouds are made up of ice crystals and are found at higher altitudes where temperatures are below freezing.
- Mixed Phase Clouds: These clouds contain both water droplets and ice crystals and are often found in transition zones between warm and cold clouds.
It's important to remember that the temperature inside a cloud is the same as the temperature outside the cloud at that altitude. This is because if the temperature inside the cloud were different, the air would rise or sink until it reached equilibrium with the surrounding air.
Therefore, while it might feel cold or warm to us on a cloudy day, this is more about the air temperature at the ground level rather than the temperature of the clouds themselves.
