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Line 1: {{Refimprove\|date=February 2009}} The '''cloud height''' (or the height of the cloud) is the distance between the [[cloud base]] and the [[cloud top]]. It is traditionally expressed either in [[metre]]s or as a [[pressure]] difference in [[hectopascal]] (hPa, equivalent to [[millibar]]). Sometimes, the expression ''cloud height'' is used instead of ''cloud base'', in which case the context has to clarify whether the intent is to designate the elevation or the size of the cloud.▼ [[File:Thunderstorm formation.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.25\|Convective cloud's thickness, between its base and top, shown on the background scale at different stages of its life]] ==Measurement==▼ ▲The '''cloud height''', ~~(or~~more ~~the~~commonly ~~height~~known ~~of the~~as '''cloud) thickness''' or '''depth''', is the distance between the [[cloud base]] and the [[cloud top]].<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Huschke\|first=Ralph E.\|origyear=1959\|url=http://glossary.ametsoc.org/wiki/Cloud_height\| chapter=Cloud height\|publisher=[[American Meteorological Society]]\|title=Glossary of Meteorology\|place=[[Boston]]\| edition=2nd\| year=1970\|accessdate=August 24, 2013}}</ref> It is traditionally expressed either in ~~[[metre]]s~~metres or as a [[pressure]] difference in [[hectopascal]] (hPa, equivalent to [[millibar]]). Sometimes, the expression ''cloud height'' is used instead of ''[[cloud base]]'', in which case the context has to clarify whether the intent is to designate the ~~elevation~~height orof the ~~size~~base of the cloud or the size of it. Cloud height is not measured directly, but derived from separate measurements of cloud base and cloud top altitudes.▼ ▲==Measurement== ▲''Cloud height'' is not measured directly, but is derived from separate measurements of cloud base and cloud top altitudes. ==Weather and climate relevance== Cloud height is often related to the intensity of [[precipitation]] generated by a [[cloud]]: deeper clouds tend to produce more intense [[rainfall]]. For instance, [[cumulonimbus cloud]]s can develop vertically through a substantial part of the [[troposphere]] and often result in [[thunderstorm]]s with [[lightning]] and heavy showers. By contrast, very thin clouds (such as [[cirrus clouds]]) do not generate any precipitation at the surface of the Earth.▼ ▲Cloud height is often related to the intensity of precipitation generated by a cloud: deeper clouds tend to produce more intense rainfall. For instance, [[cumulonimbus cloud]]s can develop vertically through a substantial part of the [[troposphere]] and often result in [[thunderstorm]]s with [[lightning]] and heavy showers. By contrast, very thin clouds (such as cirrus clouds) do not generate any precipitation at the surface. For a synthetic discussion of the impact of clouds on the climate system, see the [http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/index.htm IPCC Third Assessment Report], in particular chapter 7.2. ==See also== * [[Cloud base]] * [[Precipitation (meteorology)\|Precipitation]]▼ * [[Cloud cover]] ▲* [[Precipitation (meteorology)\|Precipitation]] ==References== <references/> * Huschke, Ralph E. (1959) ''Glossary of Meteorology'', American Meteorological Society, Boston, Second printing-1970. [[Category:Clouds\|Height]]▼ {{Cloud-stub}} ▲[[Category:Clouds]]