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PPL - Meteorology > Clouds > Flashcards

Clouds Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 2 main cloud types

A
  1. Heaped
  2. Layered
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2
Q

What are the prefix name types of clouds and their associated level in feet

A

Low Level | name only | <= 6500 ft
Medium Level | Alto | 6500 ft < 23,000 ft
High Level | Cirro | 16,500 ft < 45,000 ft

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3
Q

What does NIMBO mean

A

RAIN BEARING

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4
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

STRATUS

  1. Colour
  2. Base
  3. Visibility
  4. Stability
A

Grey sheet
based can be very low
Visibility poor over large areas
Stable (little turbulence)

ST

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5
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

Nimbostratus

  1. Colour
  2. Base
  3. Visibility
  4. Stability
  5. Front
  6. Rain
A

Thick dark grey
Indistinct base
Visbility poor over large areas
Stable with a lot of moisture
Associated with warm fronts
Prolonged heavy rain

NS

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6
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

ALTOSTRATUS

  1. Colour
  2. Base
  3. Vertical thickness
  4. Turbulence
A

Thin white/light grey
Clearly defined base
Little vertical extent
Little turbulence

AS

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7
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

CIRROSTRATUS

  1. Visibility
  2. Indication
A

Transparent veil high cloud
Produces Halo effect
Usually sign of approach weather front

CS

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8
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

CUMULUS

  1. Definition
  2. Appearance
  3. Height characteristics
  4. Turbulence
A

Well defined
Detached, but can be embedded in other clouds
Varying heights, capable of rapid growth
Can be Turbulent inside

CU

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9
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

STRATOCUMULUS

  1. Type
  2. Cover
  3. Turbulence
A

Hybrid cloud
Large patches of widespread layer
Usually turbulent

SC

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10
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

ALTOCUMULUS

  1. Colour
  2. Rain
A

Grey or white patchy cloud
Percipitation possible
Virga

AC

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11
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

CIRROCUMULUS

  1. Appearance
A

Not common
Mackerel Sky
“flakey”

CC

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12
Q

What is the definition of the following cloud type, and its code

CUMULONIMBUS

  1. Height characteristics
  2. Weather
  3. Turbulence
  4. Other information
A

Large vertical extent
Thunderstorms
Severe turbulence / Wind Shear / Icing
Lightening
MUST BE AVOIDED

CB

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13
Q

What is the formula is used to estimate the cloud base

A

(TEMP - DEW POINT) x 400

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14
Q

What is condensation relient on

A

SMALL NUCLEUS

Cloud formation not gauranteed if parcel of air reaches dew point if there are no particulates for the condensation to form against (Nucleus)

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15
Q

What type of cloud formation does the following define;

Warm air rising
Sun heats the ground
Heated ground heats parcel of air
Warm parcel of air rises

A

CONVECTION

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16
Q

Define orographic lifting formation of clouds

A

Air forced to rise by physical obstruction
Rising air condenses, forming cloud

17
Q

In orographic lifting, if the air is unstable, what type of cloud will form

A

HEAPED CLOUDS

18
Q

in orographic lifting, if the air is stable, waht type of cloud will form

A

LAYER CLOUDS

19
Q

What type of cloud formation does the following define;

Two air masses meet and cause forceful lifting and cooling of air

A

CONVERGENCE

20
Q

What type of fog is formed by an air mass cooling as is moves over a cooler surface

21
Q

Define advective fog

A

Air mass cooled by moving over cooler surface
Widespread low cloud/mist

22
Q

Where does turbulent mixing of air occur

A

LOWER LAYER OF ATMOSPHERE

Air parcels of different temperatures mix together

23
Q

Which 4 things do forecasts and actual reports contain in relation to cloud reporting

A
  1. Type
  2. Base
  3. Tops
  4. Coverage

  1. Cloud Type
  2. Cloud Base
  3. Cloud Tops
  4. Extent of coverage
24
Q

What cloud type marries up to each code

ST
CU
CI
SC
NS
AS

A

ST - Stratur
CU - Cumulus
CI - Cirrus
SC - StratoCumulus
NS - NimbStratus
AS - AltoStratus

25
Q

What cloud type marries up to each code

AC
CS
CC
CB
TCU

A

AC - AltoCumulus
CS - CirroStratus
CC - CirroCumulus
CB - Cumulonimbus
TCU - Towering Cumulonimbus

26
Q

What is the base and top of the cloud given the following information

008 / 060

A

BASE - 800 ft
TOP - 6000 ft

3 digit code always in thousands, so add 00
008 = 00800 = 800
060 = 06000 = 6000

27
Q

What are the 4 cloud cover classifications

A

FEW
SCATTERED
BROKEN
OVERCAST

REMEMBER: View SCAT BO
View sounds like Few, BO is Body Odour

28
Q

What are the oktas for the cloud cover classification;
1. FEW
2. SCATTERED
3. BROKEN
4. OVERCAST

A
  1. FEW - 1-2
  2. SCATTERED - 3-4
  3. BROKEN - 5-7
  4. OVERCAST - 8

PPL - Meteorology (17 decks)

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