Clouds Flashcards
Stable Clouds
Stratiform (flat/horizontal)
Unstable Clouds
Cumulus ‘cauliflower shaped
Classification of low level cloud base
0ft to 6500ft
Stratocumulus and cumulonimbus and stratus clouds here + NS
Water vapour and water droplets
Classification for medium level cloud base
6,500ft to 23,000ft
Alto
Altostratus/Altocumulus
Mixed ice crystals and water vapour and water droplets
Classification of High level clouds
23,000ft to 40,000ft
Cirrostratus circocumulus cirrus
Ice crystals
Supercooled droplets
0 to -10 degrees
Cloud Coverage - SKC
0 oktas
Cloud Coverage - FEW
1-2 OKTAs
Cloud Coverage - SCT
3-4 Oktas
Cloud Coverage - BKN
5-7 Oktas
Cloud Coverage OVC
8 Oktas
BR on METAR means
Mist
CAVOK
5000ft/visibility of 10km no sig weather
Ceilometer
Measure cloud base
Cloud ceiling - lowest layer of cloud covering more than half
Cirrus (Ci)
Delicate/Filaments/Fibrous/Silky sheen
No Precipitation
Moderate Snow from cumulus cloud?
SHSN
Castellanus
Turret Shaped
CI/CC/AC/SC
Instability/Flat base/Thunderstorm development
Lenticularis
Lens shaped/Almond shaped cloud
Indicate mountain waves
Fractures
Broken/Ragged appearance
Stratus + CU
Uncius
Like a comma/mares tails
CI
Which type of cloud has the greater ratio of super cooled water droplets to ice crystals
Stratus
Altocumulus Castellanus
Tower or turrets
Most dangerous altocumulus cloud as can develop to bring thunderstorms and heavy rain
7,000ft to 18,000ft
Unstable air heated from below
Mixed ice is most likely to be encountered in
Nimbostratus
Large droplets and small droplets
-9 degree and -14 degrees
PO
Dust devil
VA
Volcanic ash
FU
Smoke
Cumulus Fractus
Detached clouds around 2000ft-3000ft not puffy like the rest
Very unstable and indicate unstable air
Indicate change in weather coming
