At what elevation are clouds found?

Question

Also, which strata of the atmosphere are clouds typically located in- or, are they to be found within multiple levels? I.E. the stratosphere, the troposphere, etc.

When we look up at them, how high (in terms of feet) are clouds usually floating?

Answer 1

High clouds (Family A)
These generally form above 16,500 feet (5,000 m), in the cold region of the troposphere. However, in Polar regions, they may form as low as 10,000 ft (3,048 m). They are denoted by the prefix cirro- or cirrus. At this altitude, water frequently freezes so clouds are composed of ice crystals. The clouds tend to be wispy, and are often transparent.

Middle clouds (Family B)

Altocumulus mackerel skyThese develop between 6,500 and 16,500 feet (between 2,000 and 5,000 m) and are denoted by the prefix alto-. They are made of water droplets and are frequently supercooled.

Low clouds (Family C)

Low cloudsThese are found up to 6,500 feet (2,000 m) and include the stratus (dense and grey). When stratus clouds contact the ground, they are called fog.

Vertical clouds (Family D)

Cumulonimbus clouds showing strong updraftsThese clouds can have strong up-currents, rise far above their bases and form at many heights

Answer 2

Clouds can and do form from sea level, fog is a cloud, to 50 miles up, noctilucent clouds. Most clouds and almost all the weather occur in the troposphere and that extends from sea level to 6 or 7 miles up.

Answer 3

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/synoptic/clouds.htm

There are four basic cloud categories observed in our atmosphere:
Cirro-form High-level clouds which form above 20,000 feet (6,000 m) and are usually composed of ice crystals. High-level clouds are typically thin and white in appearance, but can create an array of colors when the sun is low on the horizon. Cirrus generally occur in fair weather and point in the direction of air movement at their elevation.

Nimbo-form Nimbus comes from the Latin word meaning "rain". These clouds typically form between 7,000 and 15,000 feet (2,100 to 4,600 m) and bring steady precipitation. As the clouds thicken and precipitation begins to fall, the bases of the clouds tend to lower toward the ground.

Cumulo-form Clouds look like white fluffy cotton balls or heaps and show the vertical motion or thermal uplift of air taking place in the atmosphere. The level at which condensation and cloud formation begins is indicated by a flat cloud base, and its height will depend upon the humidity of the rising air. The more humid the air, the lower the cloud base. The tops of these clouds can reach over 60,000 feet (18,000 m).

Strato-form "Stratus" is Latin for layer or blanket. The clouds consist of a feature-less low layer that can cover the entire sky like a blanket, bringing generally gray and dull weather. The cloud bases are usually only a few hundred feet above the ground. Over hills and mountains they can reach ground level when they may be called fog. Also, as fog "lifts" off the ground due to daytime heating, the fog forms a layer of low stratus clouds.

Answer 4

They're found in the troposphere and their heights can range anywhere from 2,000 feet to well above 10,000 Feet. Typically, the more moisture you have at the surface, the lower the cloud heights will be.

Answer 5

On a radar summary chart I saw the plot of cloud top at 67,000 feet.

Answer 6

Clouds bottom may be even at ground level and their top may extend upto tropopause level.

Answer 7

At the level where the dew point occurs