Why do clouds form above islands?

Clouds form above islands primarily due to the process of condensation, which occurs when moisture rises from vegetation. In island environments, vegetation plays a significant role in releasing moisture into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. As this moist air rises, it encounters cooler air at higher altitudes. When the warm, moist air cools, the water vapor it contains condenses into tiny water droplets, leading to the formation of clouds.

This process is crucial in tropical and subtropical regions where islands are often lush with vegetation. Unlike larger land masses, islands can create localized weather patterns. The moisture-rich air from vegetation directly contributes to cloud formation above these areas. Thus, the interaction between rising warm air and the cooler air leads to cloud development, which is essential for various weather patterns and precipitation in those regions.