CLOUDS

Question 1

What gives us an indication that mountain wave in Mountain turbulence exist?

Answer 1

Lenticular clouds
Rotor clouds
Cap clouds
Banner, clouds

Question 2

Lenticular clouds

Answer 2

Typically occur from 20,000 to 40,000 feet. Form in the crests of the waves, and can be very high and hundreds of miles long.
In PIREPS & METARS lenticular clouds will be reported as one of two types
ACSL
CCSL

Question 3

Roll/rotor clouds

Answer 3

They will form downwind from each wave crest, and within the lower turbulent zone.
Possess the greatest amount of turbulence.
Can indicate presence of mountain waves

Question 4

Cap cloud

Answer 4

These lie over the top of the mountain, and they will extend partially down the leeward slopes. This can indicate an extremely strong downdraft.

Question 5

ACSL

Answer 5

Alto-cumulus, standing lenticular

Question 6

CCSL

Answer 6

Cirro- cumulus standing lenticular

Question 7

Winds around mountains

Answer 7

Anabatic winds
Katabatic winds
Glacier winds
Funnel winds

Question 8

Anabatic winds

Answer 8

Formed as the sun word side of a mountain slope heats up, warm air rises.

Question 9

Katabatic winds

Answer 9

A wind that flows down the slope of a mountain. It can happen in shaded or snow-covered areas.

Question 10

Glacier winds

Answer 10

Extreme katabatic winds. They are caused by glaciers which can produce areas of extreme cooling.

Question 11

Funnelling winds

Answer 11

Winds, which are deflected around large single mountain peaks, or through the valleys of mountain ranges.

Question 12

When should a light aircraft stay out of the mountains?

Answer 12

When the wind speed at the level of the mountain peak is 20 KT or greater

Question 13

CB
Low cloud

Answer 13

Cumulonimbus
Thunder and lightning associated. Fueled by vigorous convective updrafts. Tops of these clouds can reach 60,000ft.

Question 14

TCU
Low cloud

Answer 14

Towering cumulonimbus
Growing cumulus clouds. On the way to becoming a cumulonimbus

Question 15

CU
Low cloud

Answer 15

Cumulus
Appearance of floating cotton or popcorn popping. Lifetime 5-40mins. Indicates the pressure of significant vertical currents at low levels without precip. With proper conditions they can develop into TCU, And than CB a powerful thunderstorm.

Question 16

CF
Low cloud

Answer 16

Cumulus Fractus
Stratocumulus torn by wind. Differentiated from stratus Fractus by their more rounded tops.

Question 17

SC
Low Cloud

Answer 17

Stratocumulus
Low lumpy layer of cloud. Sometimes accompanied by weak intensity precipitation. Main producers of drizzle.

Question 18

NS
Low cloud

Answer 18

Nimbostratus
Dark low level clouds often accompanied by steady by steady, light to moderate continuous precipitation.

Question 19

ST
Low Cloud

Answer 19

Stratus
Low layer cloud. Smooth air. Resembles fog but does not rest on the ground. No waves or patterns “grey”

Question 20

SF
Low cloud

Answer 20

Stratus Fractus
Stratus cloud that has been torn by wind into fragments. Drizzle may fall from these clouds.

Question 21

AS
Middle cloud

Answer 21

Alto stratus
Low layer cloud with no definite pattern. Steely or bluish in colour. Sometimes sun/moon can be seen through. Can cause light drizzle but NOT heavy precipitation

Question 22

AC
Middle cloud

Answer 22

Alto cumulus
Puffy cotton ball type clouds
On warm and humid summer morning could be followed by thunderstorms. Icing is usually present above the freezing level, and especially heavy during top on cloud.

Question 23

ACC
Middle cloud

Answer 23

Alto cumulus Castellanus
Created from instability associated with airflows having marked vertical shear and weak thermal stratification

Question 24

CI
High cloud

Answer 24

Cirrus
High and wispy, 20,000ft +
High pressure systems, & fair weather, composed of ice crystals

Question 25

CS High cloud

Answer 25

Cirrostratus Sheetlike high level clouds composed of ice crystals. Thicken as warm fronts approach

Question 26

CC High cloud

Answer 26

Cirrocumulus Somewhat rare Appears as a white sheet with a pebbly pattern

Question 27

ST Low clouds

Answer 27

Stratus Known for drizzle or freezing rain. Updrafts associated with are very weak so the larger droplets in the cloud tend to settle earthward

Question 28

Mammatus

Answer 28

Powerful cumulonimbus clouds. May have appendages protruding from the base of them. These clouds indicate the atmosphere is extremely unstable. Funnel clouds may also be associated. (Stay clear of these)

Question 29

CEILING

Answer 29

Is defined as the level of the first cloudbase that has a coverage amount of five to eat octas