At any given time, clouds, ranging from delicate cottons to massive formations, cover 70% of the Earth's surface. However, have you ever wondered what would happen if, in the space of one minute, all the clouds disappeared? Astronauts aboard the International Space Station would no doubt be baffled by this unexpected development. In contrast, an individual walking through a desert landscape, unaware of the impending catastrophe, would remain oblivious to the imminent doom that awaits our planet.
In this article we are going to tell you What would happen if clouds did not exist.
What would happen if clouds did not exist?
In a few days, a worrying sign will become evident: humidity levels. This becomes even more pronounced for people residing along the coast. Normally, the sun's heat causes water to evaporate, especially from the ocean, and this water vapor then condenses into clouds. However, if clouds are excluded from the Earth's water cycle, water is trapped in the atmosphere, which results in humidity close to 100%. Those boarding a flight may encounter increased turbulence compared to normal.
In the absence of clouds to reflect sunlight back into space, the sun intensifies its warming effect on the Earth, leading to the formation of greater amounts of rising warm air, which is uneven in nature.
A worrying flying experience should not be our primary concern, as the absence of precipitation, including rain, snow, and even light fog, poses a much greater threat. This absence means that our essential water sources, such as lakes, streams, rivers, springs and aquifers will not be replenished. Consequently, once the snow from the previous winter melts, the available water will be depleted. The clock is ticking and if global water consumption remains at its current level, all freshwater lakes and rivers will be completely depleted in approximately 23 years.
Guarantee drinking water
To ensure a reliable water supply, humanity will need to harness its ingenuity. Currently, the average American consumes between 300 and 380 liters of water per day. However, simply reducing long showers and washing clothes will not be enough to save humanity. Public and domestic use of water only represents 21% of global consumption. The main culprits for the high demand for water are thermoelectric plants and agricultural irrigation.
Not only do power plants consume enormous amounts of water, but nuclear plants pose an even greater risk if their water cooling systems fail. The devastating Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 serves as a chilling example of what can happen when power to these cooling pumps is cut. Additionally, without sufficient rainfall, farms will need even more water, leading to widespread droughts and the destruction of vegetation and wildlife. In a matter of years, The dry land could trigger huge dust storms reminiscent of the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Meanwhile, the absence of clouds would send Earth's climate into a state of total chaos.
The exact timing of these events can't be determined without an expensive climate model, but cloud specialist Chris Fairall offers some quick calculations. In the absence of clouds, the average surface temperature would increase by up to 22 degrees Celsius. This drastic increase in temperature would not only devastate the habitats of countless plants and animals, wiping out drought survivors, but would also cause the polar caps to melt and subsequent flooding of coastal cities.
There is a possibility that You are among the 40% of people worldwide who are forced to move inland, and your new residence could quickly transform into an endless desert as salt water infiltrates the groundwater.
Benefits of not having clouds
While it may initially seem worrying, a cloudless world offers certain benefits. The absence of clouds would mean the eradication of destructive hurricanes and tornadoes, as well as the elimination of flight delays caused by storms and the obstruction of clear skies for stargazing. As our water supply continues to decline, difficult decisions will need to be made. However, humans possess remarkable ingenuity. They have the capacity to devise methods to desalinate ocean water or capture atmospheric water vapor.
It is necessary that we implement these measures as soon as possible, since the reality is that the clouds are already dissipating. Record levels of CO2 and the warming of our oceans and atmosphere are directly contributing to cloud decline.. We must rely on whatever silver lining remains to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and strive to prevent the emergence of a truly bleak future.
Existing cloud types
These are some of the types of clouds that currently exist and their function:
- Cirrus (Cirrus): These clouds are found at high altitudes, generally above 6,000 meters. They are thin, white, and have a fibrous or feathery appearance. They are mainly composed of ice crystals. Cirrus clouds indicate good weather, although their presence can precede a change in weather, such as the arrival of a warm front.
- Cumulus clouds (Cumulus): They are vertically developed clouds, with a flat base and a defined contour, as if they were floating cotton balls in the sky. They form at lower altitudes, generally below 2,000 meters. Cumulus clouds usually indicate good weather, but if they continue to develop at altitude, they can become cumulonimbus clouds and cause storms.
- Stratus (Stratus): These clouds are low, generally below 2,000 meters, and cover the sky as a uniform, gray layer. Strata can cause persistent drizzle or fog and generally indicates stable but cloudy weather.
- Nimbostratus (Nimbostratus): They are thick, dark clouds that cover large areas of the sky. They are usually associated with continuous rainfall and can last several hours. Nimbostratus are responsible for moderate to heavy rain and snowfall.
- Altocumulus (Altocumulus): These clouds are found at medium altitudes, between 2,000 and 6,000 meters. They look like white or gray spots and can indicate instability in the atmosphere. Altocumulus clouds can precede storms if observed in the morning.
- Altostratus (Altostratus): They are gray or bluish clouds that partially or completely cover the sky at medium altitudes. These clouds usually precede warm fronts and can generate light precipitation.
- Cumulonimbus (Cumulonimbus): They are clouds of great vertical development that can extend from low to high altitude. They have a dark base and a summit that can reach the tropopause (around 10,000 to 12,000 meters). Cumulonimbus clouds are responsible for thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and even tornadoes.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about what would happen if clouds did not exist.