Rain clouds are primarily located in the troposphere.
Understanding the Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to approximately 8 to 15 kilometers (5 to 9 miles) in height. This altitude varies depending on geographical location and seasonal changes. The troposphere contains most of the atmosphere's mass and almost all of its water vapor. It's where weather phenomena, including the formation of rain clouds, occur.
Several types of clouds are associated with rain. These include nimbus clouds, a category encompassing cumulus, cirrus, and stratus formations that produce precipitation (NOAA). Stratus clouds, for example, often form a flat, gray layer and can produce light rain or drizzle (Weather.gov, NOAA). Cumulonimbus clouds, known for their towering vertical development, are responsible for heavy downpours and thunderstorms.
Various sources confirm this: Quora mentions that most clouds and precipitation form within the troposphere. Research papers on heavy rainfall and rain evaporation also refer to the troposphere as the atmospheric layer where these processes take place (AMT, ACP). While different cloud types exist and some may have characteristics that modify their precipitation potential (National Geographic), the fundamental layer hosting the majority of rain clouds remains the troposphere.
