Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Summer fun: Creating clouds in a bottle

11:00
12 August 2023

Summer fun
Creating clouds in a bottle

cloud in a bottle

Have you ever tried to make your own weather phenomena? We aren't talking about a rain dance, but simply creating a cloud in a bottle.

Creating your own cloud is very simple. All you need is a two litre plastic bottle, some warm water and a couple of matches... and adult supervision if you are too young to use matches.

Pour a small amount of warm water into the bottom of the plastic bottle, leaving the cap off. Then light a match and blow it out.

As soon as you have blown it out, you need to drop the match into the bottle and quickly tighten the water bottle cap back on.

With the lid on, gently squeeze the bottle a couple of times. Did you see a little and very brief puff of whiteness when you released the pressure?

That's the cloud you've made. If you exert more pressure to the bottle, a more noticeable whiteness should appear. But how does the cloud form in the bottle?

By squeezing the bottle you exert pressure. This causes the temperature inside the bottle to increase. When you release the pressure, the temperature in the bottle decreases causing water molecules to condense.

The smoke particles from the match enable the water molecules to condense and stick together around the smoke creating the cloud in a bottle. Have a go for yourself, but don't blink or you'll miss it!

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Weather map of the USA showing an active thunderstorm front between Kansas City and Minneapolis. Numerous lightning symbols indicate severe thunderstorms, along with a severe weather warning symbol.
Monday, 18 May 2026

Tornadoes possible

Dangerous thunderstorm front over the US
Split image showing a warm temperature map across the UK and western Europe on the left and a bright sun shining through scattered clouds in a blue sky on the right.
Friday, 15 May 2026

Much warmer bank holiday

Heatwave? We're not quite there yet
Temperature map of the UK and western Europe showing warm orange conditions with temperatures above 20°C, alongside thermometer and UV icons indicating strong sunshine and elevated UV levels.
Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Sunday peak

UV levels soar over Bank Holiday weekend
All weather news
This might also interest you
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList