Cloud Classification Flashcards

1
Q

Cl

What do Castellus clouds look like?

A

Row of turrets
This is a group of cumulus clouds

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2
Q

What do Cirrus Avatics look like?

A

Indicator of high humidty

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3
Q

Describe Cirrus Clouds

A

High level, streaky
CI

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4
Q

Describe Cirrocumulus

A

High level, puffy clouds
CC

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5
Q

Describe Cirrostratus

A

High level clouds that hide the sun

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6
Q

Describe Altocumulus

A

Mid level cumulus clouds
AC

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7
Q

Describe Altostratus

A

Midlevel clouds that hide the sun
AS

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8
Q

Describe Nimbostratus

A

Rainbearing clouds - low level - hiding the sun

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9
Q

Describe Stratocumulus

A

Cumulus clouds that hide the sun

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10
Q

Describe Stratus

A

Low level clouds - hiding the sun

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11
Q

Describe Cumulus clouds

A

Puffy, with vertical shape.
Can be fair weather

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12
Q

Describe cumulonimubus

A

Rain bearing cumulous clouds

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13
Q

Describe Towering Cumulus

A

Large amounts of vertical extent.
Indicates strong updrafts and downdrafts

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14
Q

What are lenticular clouds?

A

Lens shaped.
Common in NZ - due to terrian
Indicate high winds ( sometimes > 60kts )
The mountain winds can spread a long way.

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15
Q

What is dangerous about Cumulonimbus?

A

Often strong updrafts and down drafts
Can result in heavy rain.
Top can be shaped like an anvil

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16
Q

Are cumulus clouds dangerous?

A

Can be fair weather clouds.
If they are shallow they do not produce rain.
anything with a vertial extent of > 10,000 ft can be dangerous.

17
Q

Describe the overall cloud classificaitons

A
18
Q

What is the measure of cloudbase?
4 methods to measure?

A

Height above airport elevation.
Observer - looking at features
Hydrogen Balloon - time to ascend into cloud
Search Light - trigonmatety ( angle )
Ceilometer - most common, uses light pulses.

19
Q

What is provided in the METAR if the cloud base can not be determined?

A

Sometimes the vertical visiblity.

20
Q

What is the definition of the ‘ceiling’

A

When the clouds cover at least 1/2 of the sky. ( 5+ OKTAs )
Meaning Broken or Overcast ( NOT Scattered or Few )

21
Q

What are the definitions of cloud cover ( names, abrevations and OKTAs )

A

Clear - CAVOK - 0 OKTA
Few - FEW - 1 - 2 OKTA
Scattered - SCT - 3 - 4 OKTA
Broken - BKN - 5 - 7 OKTA
Overcast - OVC - 8 OKTA