How Fast Do Clouds Move?

Clouds on Earth move as fast as the wind is blowing them. The stronger the wind, the faster a cloud moves. On our planet, clouds can be found at different altitudes and move in different directions and speeds.

Wind speeds in the atmosphere vary with altitude, so the major factor in a cloud’s movement is its height above the ground. In general, the higher up in the atmosphere you go, the faster the winds and therefore, the faster the clouds are being pushed along. High-altitude clouds in the jetstream, for example, can reach speeds of over 322 kilometres (200 miles) per hour.