Nature

Why do clouds form?

The short answer

Clouds form when water vapor in rising air cools and changes into tiny droplets or ice crystals.

How it works

Warm air rises and expands where the air pressure is lower. As it expands, it cools. When it becomes cool enough, water vapor condenses around tiny particles into droplets.

A familiar example

Water droplets on the outside of a cold drink are a small example of water vapor cooling and condensing.

Sources