Why Do Clouds Turn Grey? — Passage
Clouds don’t start out grey—they’re usually white when they form. But sometimes, especially before it rains, they turn darker and look grey or even black. So why does this happen?
Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that scatter sunlight. When clouds are thin, the sunlight passes through easily and gets scattered in all directions, making the cloud appear white. This is similar to how sunlight scatters to make the sky look blue.
As clouds grow thicker and hold more water, they block more sunlight from passing through. The light can't reach the bottom of the cloud as easily, so the base appears darker. The more water a cloud contains, the less light it lets through—and the greyer it looks.
Sometimes, the grey look is also caused by shadows. If clouds are stacked high or if sunlight is weak (like in the evening), the lower parts of the cloud don’t get much light. That’s why storm clouds look especially dark—they’re big, thick, and full of moisture.
In short, grey clouds mean the cloud is dense and full of water, which often means rain is coming soon.
Fun Fact: Clouds aren’t actually colored grey or white—they just appear that way based on how light passes through or around them!
What are clouds made of?
Cotton and airDust and smokeTiny water droplets or ice crystalsSnow and windWhy do thin clouds look white?
They are close to the sunThey reflect the color of the skyThey scatter sunlight in all directionsThey contain more rainWhat happens when clouds grow thicker?
They float higherThey let more light throughThey block more sunlightThey reflect blue lightWhy do the bottoms of clouds often look darker?
They are colderThey reflect the color of the groundLess light reaches the bottom of the cloudThey are full of thunderWhat is a common sign of a cloud turning grey?
The cloud is getting smallerRain may be coming soonThe cloud is turning into snowWind is slowing downWhat else can make clouds appear grey?
Air pollutionToo much oxygenShadows from stacked clouds or weak sunlightLightning inside the cloudWhat is the main idea of the passage?
All clouds are made of fogGrey clouds happen when they fill with water and block lightClouds turn grey because they are dirtyClouds are always the same colorWhy do clouds only appear white or grey?
They reflect the oceanThey absorb sunlightThey don't have any color; light makes them appear that wayThey are painted by air pressureRelated Content
