Which of the following is not a type of cloud

Which of the following is not a type of cloud

1. Cumulus 2. Cirrus 3. Sleet 4. Stratus​

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

The correct answer is 3. Sleet.

Explanation:

Clouds are collections of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that are suspended in the atmosphere. They form when moist air rises, cools, and condenses into water vapor. There are several different types of clouds, categorized based on their appearance, height, and the weather they are associated with. The three types of clouds listed here—cumulus, cirrus, and stratus—are all legitimate cloud types, while sleet is not a cloud type.

1. Cumulus Clouds: These are puffy, white clouds often associated with fair weather. They form when warm, moist air rises and cools, causing the water vapor to condense. Cumulus clouds typically appear as large, cotton-like masses with flat bases. They can grow into larger clouds that bring thunderstorms, known as cumulonimbus clouds, when there is significant vertical development.
2. Cirrus Clouds: Cirrus clouds are high-altitude clouds, typically found above 20,000 feet. They appear wispy and thin and are made of ice crystals due to the low temperatures at these altitudes. These clouds often signal changes in the weather, particularly the approach of a storm system, as they tend to precede other weather events like rain or snow.
3. Stratus Clouds: Stratus clouds are low-altitude clouds that form in uniform layers, often covering the sky like a blanket. They can bring overcast skies, light rain, or drizzle. Stratus clouds are commonly seen in regions with stable weather patterns or when moist air is lifted gradually.
4. Sleet: Sleet is not a cloud; it refers to frozen precipitation that forms when raindrops freeze before reaching the ground. Sleet typically occurs when warm air at the surface is sandwiched between cold air layers above, causing raindrops to freeze as they fall. It is a type of weather phenomenon but not a cloud type.

In summary, sleet is a form of precipitation, while cumulus, cirrus, and stratus are all types of clouds.