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Meteorology > Ch 7 - Cloud Classification > Flashcards

Ch 7 - Cloud Classification Flashcards

1
Q

Cumulus General Characteristics

A

Heaped

Unstable

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2
Q

Stratus General Characteristics

A

Stable

Flat/Wide/Layered

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3
Q

Cirrus General Characteristics

A

Whispy/Feathery

High altitude

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4
Q

Low Level Cloud

A

Strato Prefix

Surface - 6500ft (2000m)

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5
Q

Medium Level Clouds

A

Alto Prefix

6500ft - 23,000ft

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6
Q

Highest Level Cloud

A

Cirro Prefix

16,500-45,000

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7
Q

Stratus (St)

A

Stable and Layered

Comp: Water Droplets
Description:
- Grey cloud layer, uniform base
- Sometimes appears as ragged patches

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8
Q

Nimbostratus (NS)

A

Mainly water droplets ice crystals sometimes

Thick, dense, grey cloud layer adjacent to a warm front

Cont. RA/SN Ice pellets

Mod-Sev turbulence

Can go up 2 layers

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9
Q

Cumulus (CU)

A

Water droplets and ice crystals

Detached, heaped clouds with dense sharp outlines and they develop vertically

SHRA SHSN snow pellets

Can develop in CB

Mod - Sev Turb

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10
Q

Stratocumulus (SC)

A

Water droplets

Grey and white patch sheet/layer of cloud with darker areas

RA FZRA SG Snow Pellets Int. RA/SN

Can turn into cumulus

Light to moderate turbulence

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11
Q

Cumulonimbus (CB)

A

Water droplets and Ice Crystals

Heavy, dense, large vertical extent
Base flat and dark
Thunderstorms

RA SHSN Snow Pellets

Mod-Sev Turb

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12
Q

Altostratus (AS)

A

Water droplets and ice crystals

Grey/white sheet of uniform
Fibrous with total or partial cover and can revel sun

Merges with NS

Cont./Intermittent RA/SN ice pellets

Nil - Slight Turb

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13
Q

Altocumulus (AC)

A

Water droplets and ice crystals

White/Grey patch/sheet/layer with rounded masses or rolls

-DZ FZDZ SG Int. RA/SN

Nil - slight

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14
Q

Cirrostratus (CS)

A

Ice crystals

Transparent white veil, fibrous / smooth

PRODUCES HALO

Nil - Slight

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15
Q

Cirrus (CI)

A

Ice crystals

Detached white delicate fibres or white patches

Nil - Slight

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16
Q

Cirrocumulus (CC)

A

Ice crystals

White patch/sheet/layer
Ripples/Grains
No shading

Nil - Sight

17
Q

Virga

A

When it rains but evaporates before it hits the ground

The rain stays in the atmosphere

Usually from Altostratus + Altocumulus

18
Q

Congestus

A

Cauliflower light

Usually seen on a towering cumulus - Congestus

19
Q

Castellanus (ACC)

A

Castle like turret on SC/AC/CI/CC

20
Q

Lenticularis (ACL)

A

Lens shaped
Orographic origin

SC/AC/CC

Mountain Wave

21
Q

Capillatus (CAP)

A

Distinct cirriform parts of clearly fibrous or striated structure

Anvil

Plume or vast mass of air

CB

22
Q

Mammatus

A

Hanging boobs under the clouds (proturberances)

CI/CC/AC/AS/SC/CB

23
Q

Fractus (FRA)

A

Form or irregular and ragged shreds

ST and CU

24
Q

Calvus (CAL)

A

Protuberances on the upper surface of the cloud

Whitish mass with more/less vertical striations

CB

Meteorology (21 decks)

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