101-7 Clouds Flashcards
Four Cloud Family Names
High
Middle
Low
Clouds w/ extensive vertical development
High Cloud Characteristics
Contribute least to icing and turbulence
Ex. Cirriform
Cirrus
CI
Thin, needle like ice crystal clouds (no turb/icing) but dense/banded cirrus clouds are turbulent
Cirrocumulus
CC
Thin clouds, patches of cotton
May have supercooled water
Some turb & icing
Cirrostratus
CS
Thin white-ish cloud (veil/sheet)
Halos
No turb/little icing
Altocumulus
AS
white/grey patches of solid cloud, wave like appearance
Some turbulence & icing
Altostratus
Blueish veil, associated w/ altocumulus & merge into cirrostratus
Little turb; moderate icing
Altocumulus Castellanos
Middle level convective clouds
mid level instability
Turb/icing
Standing Lenticular
(ACSL)
Little movement, clear polished edges (contact lense)
- Very strong turbulence
Nimbostratus
NS
Dark grey massive cloud layer
Diffused by continuous rain, snow and ice pellets
No turbulence; serious icing
Stratus
ST
Gray, uniform sheet like, low bases
- poor visibility, no turb, but some icing
Stratocumulus
SC
Bases are globe-like masses or rolls
Some turb; possible icing at sub zero temps.
Cumulus
CU
Fair weather clouds, form in convective currents.
Flat bases, domed tops
No vertical development, and do not produce precip
Some instability (some turb, no icing)
Towering Cumulus
TCU
Deep, unstable layer of air
Billowing cauliflower tops
Showers, turbulence and icing
Cumulonimbus
CB
Instability, anvil clouds turn into Cirrus
AVOID
