Storm clouds when you are out hiking in the Rocky Mountains can be a scary or worrying sight to behold. Here are some tips on which clouds you need to be wary of.
A beautiful summer day in the Rockies can start off without a cloud in the sky and end with thunderstorms over the peaks. It’s important that if you plan on heading high in the mountains you start your hike early to be safe. I feel like I often see some clouds in the distance when I’m hiking. It’s important that you have a basic knowledge of clouds, at least knowing which are storm clouds. Knowing your clouds will help you decide if you should turn around and head back or keep going to the top or the lake at the end of the trail.
How Many Main Types of Clouds Are There?
Scientists do a good job of organizing and classifying the natural world into ways that are easy to understand. Scientists organize clouds into ten basic types – including cirrus, cumulus, stratus, and nimbus.
I’m not going to get into all of those clouds here, but there are a lot of them. The type of cloud depends on what it looks like and where it forms in the sky (how high or low up in the sky it is). You can read about the ten types of clouds here.
Do All Clouds Mean Rain or Thunder Is Coming? NO.
A high, wispy cirrus cloud does not mean rain is coming.
No. Cirrus clouds form high up in the atmosphere and rarely mean that rain is coming.
Stratus clouds also do not necessarily mean that rain is coming. They can produce some sprinkles or drizzle, but generally will not turn into a big rain storm.
Storm Clouds – Which Clouds Are Signs Of Rain?
All types of cumulus bring rain. Cumulus look soft and fluffy, and sometimes look like huge cauliflower shapes. There are many different kinds of these, some of which also bring thunder.
Another kind of cloud that brings rain is a nimbostratus. These form very low down in the sky and are often dark looking across the horizon.
Storm Clouds – The Two Types Of Clouds To Be Careful For
Keeping in mind that all cumulus clouds bring rain there are two main types that mean bad weather is on the way and you need to be careful.
A nimbostratus cloud bringing rain.
Nimbostratus – these form in a thick, dark layer very close to the ground. You need to be careful for these since they can bring long periods of heavy ran or snow.
A big, towering cumulonimbus cloud often brings thunderstorms.
Cumulonimbus – these are the big ones that often bring heavy rain and thunder. They are very tall, towering over all the other clouds.
These are the clouds that you need to be most watchful for and worried about. These are the big, bad boys that can mean a serious storm is on the way.