Researchers have their heads in the clouds. They have taken samples from cirrus clouds and are finding lead.

Cirrus clouds are wispy strands of dust particles, water vapor and ice crystals. 

Research suggests that these clouds are forming more easily with the presence of lead in the atmosphere from vehicle and coal emissions. Lead in the air allows the thin, wispy clouds to “form at warmer temperatures with less water, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The group's research is published in the May issue of Nature Geoscience.

More clouds in the atmosphere may block sunlight needed to power our solar panels and impact agriculture. Additionally, more clouds can change the weather patterns including precipitation patterns and where it comes down across the globe. 

And while on cloud nine, research found that “lead-laden clouds come with a silver lining…under some conditions, these clouds let more of the earth’s heat waft back into space, cooling the world slightly. What does this mean for our warming planet? Lead based clouds may cool the warming earth a bit. 

However, climate change is a complex problem -- some parts of the planet will experience cooler temperatures and others warmer and weather patterns will vary. Lead-laden clouds may contribute to making cooler climates even cooler. 

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons