Clouds move at speeds that vary widely depending on factors like the type of cloud, altitude, and wind speed. On average, clouds move between 30 to 40 miles per hour (48 to 64 kilometers per hour). Higher altitude clouds tend to move faster due to stronger winds at those heights, sometimes reaching speeds up to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour) or more. The movement of clouds is primarily driven by wind currents in the atmosphere, with faster winds at higher levels resulting in quicker cloud movement. Clouds near the surface or low clouds usually move slower due to lighter winds there. In summary:
- Average cloud speed: 30 to 40 mph
- High-altitude clouds: up to 100 mph or higher
- Cloud speed depends on wind strength at their altitude and type of cloud
Clouds can travel several hundred miles in a day, moved along by atmospheric winds.
