Why Do Storm Clouds Look Gray or Black?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do storm clouds look gray or black?

The Big Idea

Storm clouds look dark because they are thick, tall, and packed with water and ice. Sunlight has a hard time shining all the way through them. Dark does not mean evil. It just means thick.

The Cloud Grows Tall

Step one: the cloud grows tall. Strong rising air can build a storm cloud many miles high. That is far taller than the little puffy clouds on a calm day.

Packed With Water

Step two: the cloud fills up. Inside are huge numbers of water drops and ice pieces, crowded close together. Light bounces around in there and much of it gets stopped before it can get out.

The Bottom Looks Dark

Step three: the bottom looks dark. Sunlight lights up the top of the cloud, but only a little of it makes it through to the bottom. So from the ground, you see a gray or almost black underside.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a storm cloud! The top is bright, because the sunlight hits it directly. The middle is thick with water and ice. And the bottom is dark, because most of the light was blocked on the way down.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! From an airplane, the top of a storm cloud looks bright white. A gray cloud brightens if the Sun peeks out from behind it. The darker the cloud looks, the thicker it usually is. If the sky turns dark and you hear thunder, go inside with a grown-up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Watch a gray cloud from a safe, dry spot. See what happens when the Sun moves behind it. Notice how the cloud gets brighter. If thunder starts, go indoors with a grown-up.

Outro

Dark clouds are not scary secrets, just thick clouds that block the light. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!