Spring2025CloudUpdate - Clouds Protocol

Welcome to a very special edition of our NASA GLOBE Clouds Quarterly Update! Our first quarterly update went out five years ago; thank you for the continued support of GLOBE Clouds observers around the world! To celebrate our fifth quarterly update anniversary, enjoy the highlights that generated the most interest throughout these years.

A GLOBE Clouds Observer Superstar

Back in 2022, we highlighted a citizen scientist that had surprised us by making so many GLOBE cloud observations that his ground observations had been compared with satellite data more than 9,000 times. Om Prakash Gupta, a retired principal and postgraduate in Geography from Kanpur University, India, continues to contribute to the GLOBE database in an impressive manner. To this date, Om has made more than 25,735 GLOBE cloud observations, leading to over 28,915 satellite comparisons.

When asked about what is the most enjoyable aspect of making GLOBE cloud observations, Om responded as follows:

“When I see various colors, designs, and different formations appearing in the sky during my cloud observations, I see very attractive and beautiful looks. Nature presents its own glory and beauty through clouds in the sky. It is a challenge for the human brain to discuss its colorful and glorious enjoyment. Clouds are heavy and a wonderful aspect of nature. Sunlight on the clouds in the sky increases its glory more and more. Clouds observations make me glad at every moment. I feel my aim in life is to get my cloud observations. It is also useful for scientists to get their research work. So, I feel glad to make GLOBE cloud observations during the day and night. It has become my hobby. It is always enjoyable”.

We admire Om’s commitment to making GLOBE cloud observations. Thank you Om and all GLOBE cloud observers around the world for your meaningful contributions to Earth science!

Favorite Cloud and Ask Us Anything

GLOBE Clouds photos from each region are featured, and you are asked to vote for your favorite. Thank you for your participation! This quarter there were more votes than ever, and there is another tie! See the winning photos below:

Once again, here are photos representing each region. Please vote for your favorite using this GLOBE Clouds: Favorite Cloud and Ask Us Anything form

Ask Us Anything Question, Answered

Thank you to everyone who has submitted a question. It is always difficult to choose which question to answer because all questions are so good! This time we are answering a question that can also help us identify clouds: “How can we tell if a cloud is at high, medium, or low altitude?”

Determining the altitude of clouds can be tricky. Fortunately, we have some useful tips to help us figure out if the base of a cloud is at a low altitude (lower than 2 km), a mid altitude (from 2 to 6 km), or a high altitude (more than 6 km). Note - never look directly at the Sun with your bare eyes. Sunglasses are not enough protection.

Cumulus-type clouds: These are the puffy kind. Hold up your hand at arms’ length.

	If the individual puffs of a cloud are about the size of your fist or larger, most likely you are looking at a low-altitude cumulus cloud.
	If the individual puffs of a cloud are about the size of your thumb, you are likely looking at an altostratus (mid-altitude) cloud.
	If the individual puffs of a cloud are about the size of the nail on your littlest finger, then you are likely looking at a cirrocumulus (high-altitude) cloud.
	If there is a thunderstorm during your observation, then you are looking at a cumulonimbus (low-altitude) cloud.

Stratus clouds: These are the stretchy-kind of clouds.

	If it rained recently or it is about to rain, or if the stratus cloud you are observing is so thick you can’t even figure out where the Sun is, most likely you are looking at a stratus (low-altitude) cloud.
	If it is raining during your observation, then you are looking at a nimbostratus (low-altitude) cloud.
	If when you are looking at a stratus cloud the Sun looks diffused (as if you were seeing it through a glass bottle), then you are likely looking at an altostratus (mid-altitude) cloud.
	If the stratus cloud you are seeing is very thin, and you can see the Sun distinctly, then you are looking at a cirrostratus (high-altitude) cloud.

Overall, we encourage you to submit your GLOBE Clouds observations even when you are not sure about the altitude/type of the clouds you are observing. Just do your best!

Advanced Cloud Dance Activity

Representing clouds with movement can be an engaging way to learn to identify cloud types too. So, last quarter we highlighted the cloud dance activity. Building on that activity, we want to share a more advanced version of the cloud dance activity. Learners that have already mastered identifying basic cloud types can keep learning and dancing!

Meet an Expert: Reem Hasan Dahnous

Meet Reem Hasan Dahnous, an incredible educator and head of the science department at Al Shouf International Schools. She has amazed us with her creativity throughout the years!

Question: Where are you from?
Answer: I am from Jordan.

Question: Please tell us about your job. What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
Answer: I am a Science Coordinator, science and biology teacher, passionate about hands-on learning. The most enjoyable aspect of my work is seeing students develop curiosity and critical thinking skills through interactive and engaging activities. Watching them connect scientific concepts to real-world applications is incredibly rewarding.

Question: You impressed many people during the past GLOBE Annual Meeting by showcasing some GLOBE games you have created. Can you tell us more about those games?

Answer: I have developed interactive GLOBE-based games such as ‘Escape the Room’ and ‘GLOBE Detective Games’ to help students learn environmental science concepts in an engaging way. These games incorporate real GLOBE protocols, encouraging students to collaborate, analyze data, and apply scientific methods while having fun.

Question: How could other GLOBE educators around the world implement the GLOBE games you’ve created?
Answer: The games are designed to be adaptable to different classroom settings. Educators can use them as standalone activities or integrate them into lessons to reinforce GLOBE protocols. I’m happy to share experience on how to modify the games based on available materials and learning objectives.

Question: What suggestions do you have for educators that are just starting to incorporate GLOBE into their educational settings?
Answer: Start small and build from there! Choose one protocol that aligns with your curriculum, engage students in hands-on data collection, and encourage them to ask questions about their environment. Making learning interactive and student-centered helps sustain their interest and fosters a deeper understanding of scientific concepts.

Question: Is there anything else you would like to share with the GLOBE community?
Answer: Being part of GLOBE has been an incredible journey, and I love seeing how educators and students worldwide collaborate to understand our planet. I’m excited to continue developing innovative ways to engage students in environmental science and look forward to learning from other GLOBE educators as well!

Science Topic Fog: Friend or Foe?

Five years ago, as part of our very first quarterly update, we discussed the difference between an “overcast” sky and an “obscured” sky. That difference is very important when making cloud observations. Therefore, it is worth remembering this difference. When at least 90% of the sky is covered with clouds, we say that the sky is “overcast”.

These are a few examples of overcast skies:

On the other hand, we say the sky is “obscured” when we cannot even see if there are clouds! That can happen for several reasons, such as heavy rain, snow, dust, smoke, haze, volcanic ash, ocean spray, blowing sand, or fog.

A few examples of obscured skies are shown below:

Yes, fog is also a type of obscuration! But what is fog? The ground-level clouds made of tiny water droplets are what we call fog. So, if you have ever walked through fog, you can say you have walked through a cloud!

Fog does reduce visibility. In fact, it can make driving, flying, and other forms of transportation more difficult and even hazardous. So, some people may dislike fog. However, fog can have benefits too. Because fog can provide moisture, water traps especially designed for foggy areas are being used for domestic and agricultural purposes in some regions of the world! Some farmers have historically relied on fog to help protect their crops. For example, the thick winter fog in California’s Central Valley, in the United States, has usually helped protect crops like almonds, walnuts, and cherries. The fog has kept these crops cool and allowed them to go dormant in the winter. However, scientists have noticed a decrease in the fog in this location. By looking at satellite data, biometeorologist Dennis Baldocchi and his student Eric Waller found that winter fog days had decreased by 46% over 32 years. So, scientists and farmers have had to look for ways to adapt, such as breeding crops that can handle warmer winters or moving orchards to cooler areas. Learn more about fog here: Fog | NASA Earthdata and Exposed Orchards | NASA Earthdata.

GLOBE Clouds by the Numbers

The GLOBE Clouds Team would like to share some exciting numbers! Thank you to the amazing GLOBE community. Repeat observations are necessary to understand changes in our atmosphere:

Thank You

We are grateful for five years of our GLOBE Clouds Quarterly Update. Thank you for reading, voting for your favorite clouds, asking questions, and continuing submitting your GLOBE Clouds observations!