Cloud classification Flashcards
General types of clouds
Convective, stratiform and cirriform
Convective (or cumuliform) clouds
Fast ascent
Cells of bouyant convection, any depth of troposphere
due to anomalies in parcel temperature
Stratiform clouds
Weak ascent
Widespread layers of nearly statically stable air in lower of mid-troposphere
Cirriform clouds
Weak ascent
Widespread layers of ice-cloud in upper troposphere
Classification by elevation
High level (cirro-) Cloudbase temp
Latin names: Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, Nimbus
Cirrus- fibrous or hair-like Cumulus - a heap or pile stratus - a horizontal sheet or layer Nimbus - rain bearing Alto - medium layer
Low-level convective clouds
Vertically developed
- rising towers that have cauliflower like appearance
- up and down drafts form cell of convection
Cumulus (Cu)
Low-level convective cloud. White to gray, cauliflower. flat base at LCL
Cumulus humilis (Cu hum)
Low-level convective cloud. Indicates fair weather. small cumulus, flat. no rain
Cumulus mediocris
Low-level convective cloud. Moderate vertical extent, maybe weak precipitation
Cumulus congestus
Low-level convective cloud. Larger vertical extent. Usually give showers.
Pileus
cap formed above large Cu cloud. Convective cloud deforms flow above cloud leading to this cap.
Cumulunimbus (Cb)
Low-level convective cloud. Huge towering, dark cloud base and white sides and top. Brings heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail. often anvil top.
Nimbostratus (Ns)
Stratiform cloud. Dark gray and thick structureless layer. Long lasting medium precipitation, often during frontal passing. Might co-exist with convective clouds in larger systems.
Mammatus
Stratiform cloud. smooth, pocket-shaped underside of cumulunimbus caused by downdrafts within the cloud.
