Experiment with changing the air temperature (red line) and dew point (blue line) at various altitudes in the java applet [Making a Cloud].
Adjust the vertical profile of temperature and dew point temperature by positioning the cursor over one of the data points and then drag the cursor (press and hold the button while moving) to increase or decrease the value. For starters, make the lower part of the atmosphere warmer and wetter (increase the temperatures and dew point values). Can you make a cloud grow? What atmospheric conditions are favorable for thunderstorms?

The Verner E. Suomi Virtual Museum development funded in part by the National Science Foundation Grant #EAR9809458. 
Material presented is Copyrighted (C) 1999 by Steve Ackerman and Tom Whittaker.  If you have questions or comments, please let us know!