Explore the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator
Lift an air parcel up a mountain and see it cool, reach the dew point and form clouds and rain. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator?
Lift an air parcel up a mountain and see it cool, reach the dew point and form clouds and rain. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Weather forecasters, pilots and mountain climbers use these ideas to predict clouds, fog and storms.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Rising air expands and cools.
When the air cools to its dew point, vapour condenses into cloud.
Air pressure falls with height.
Lift the parcel up to the cloud base.
Raise the dew point and watch the cloud base drop.
Lift it very high to make rain.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Earth & Space learners
Astronomy and earth-science students, and teachers who need a visual model to explain what is happening in the sky.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Raise the dew point and watch the cloud base drop. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What is the dew point?
The temperature at which air becomes saturated and water vapour condenses.
Why does air cool as it rises?
It moves into lower pressure, expands, and does work, so its temperature drops (about 9.8 °C per km when dry).
Is the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator free to use?
Yes. The Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Earth & Space group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 6 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator?
1. In the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator, use the controls to change Weather preset, Sea surface temperature, Humidity (relative), Mountain height, Wind speed, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator, pick an option such as Clear, Storm, Snow, Auto (all air) to switch modes or load an example. 3. Start with this experiment: Lift the parcel up to the cloud base. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator responds in real time. 4. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Rising air expands and cools.
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Try the Weather & Cloud Formation Simulator now
Lift an air parcel up a mountain and see it cool, reach the dew point and form clouds and. Free to use.
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