Are grey clouds a different colour to white ones because they hold more water?

Question

Lauren- I think your U button isn't working! He he.

Answer 1

The gray clouds are dark because they are blocking light more than thinner less opaque ones.

Answer 2

A cloud's colour depends chiefly on the cloud's relationship to the light of the sun.In some cases, it depends on the colour of the surrounding sky.If the cloud covers the whole visible area of the sky,the depth of the cloud determines the colour of the cloud;the deeper it is, the darker it is.

The depth of the cloud (as in the case of the cumulonimbus cloud which grows more than 10 kms sometimes) may be due to abundance of moisture content in which case,the cloud may  look darker (or grey,if the depth is comparatively less) from the bottom.

When sunlight falls on a cloud,the water in the cloud can either reflect the light back to space or absorb the light.In both the cases,the intensity of the light reduces.

If all the wavelengths of the sun's visible light(red to violet) are not blocked but scattered equally,the result is white light.

So,if the sun is shining and the cloud is not covering the sun,in general, the cloud is white.

Sometimes if there are particles in the atmosphere, the angle of the path,the sun's rays must travel through them can result in preferential scattering of wavelenths so that a particular colour, like gold(or grey), predominates in a cloud.This is the same reason that the sky is predominantly blue,because blue wavelength are the most scattered.

At other times,when the sky is orange,for example,some of that light is reflected off a cloud,just like a coloured light shining on a mirror,so the cloud appears orange.

Answer 3

I will have to consult with my beau, as he is soooooooooo smart, and will know the answer to this.  That is of course if he is even talking to me anymore.  I sent him an e-mail last night, and he hasn't responded as of yet.    I will let you in on a secret.  (the sun is not really yellow)

Answer 4

Looking at them, yes they would be a different color. But considering all clouds are the same color except based upon the rain they hold i would say they would be the same color. Just not to the eye. If that makes any sense at all! haha

Answer 5

As the grey clouds have water vapours ,so the light refelection and internal scattering is changed and absorbance of light takes place,giving grey/black colour..means no reflected light coming to us.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

Yes and it might also be because each raindrop in the grey clouds holds a speck of dust, giving the appearance of a grey scale through black.

Here below is some expert advice about grey clouds and why etc . . . .

USATODAY.com - Answers: Why rain clouds are gray

If you've ever wondered why some clouds are white and some are gray, we have the

answer, which will also help you learn a little about light and the sky.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resource...

Why Are Clouds Gray?

Feb 11, 2008 ... Have you ever wondered: Why are clouds gray? Find out how light and shadows play a part in making clouds gray.

http://www.catalogs.com/info/earth-scien...

Cloud - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

These are found up to 6500 feet (2000 m) and include the stratus (dense and grey).

When stratus clouds contact the ground, they are called fog. ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud

Clouds

Altostratus clouds are gray or blue-gray mid level clouds composed of ice crystals

and ... Nimbostratus clouds form a dark gray, wet looking cloudy layer ...

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/cloud.htm

In this next link some pictures of clouds,sky, sea etc . . .

Clouds of Grey...

Clouds of grey. ... Clouds of grey and shades of blue a limited palette unlimited

hue ... ...and clouds of grey. now unbroken sky rain long overdue ...

http://thetimesink.net/tv/PhotoProse/gre...