At what altitude above the surface would you expect the base of cumuliform clouds if the surface air temperature is 33 °C and dewpoint is 15 °C?

To determine the altitude at which the base of cumuliform clouds is expected to form, it's crucial to understand the relationship between the surface temperature, dew point, and the altitude at which the air becomes saturated. The base of cumuliform clouds typically forms when the rising air cools to the dew point, causing moisture in the air to condense.

The formula used for estimating the base of cumulus clouds involves calculating the difference between the surface temperature and the dew point. Here, the surface air temperature is 33 °C and the dew point is 15 °C. The difference between these two temperatures is 18 °C.

A common rule of thumb is that for every 1 °C of temperature difference, the cloud base is approximately 400 feet above ground level. Hence, with an 18 °C difference, you multiply 18 by 400 feet, which gives you 7,200 feet.

This approach leads to the correct answer since it aligns with meteorological practices and the expected behavior of warm, moist air rising until it cools to the dew point, resulting in cloud formation. Other options, therefore, represent altitudes that don't conform to this rule based on the specific temperature and dew point provided.