Clouds Flashcards
Lenticular clouds what are they like?
Lenticular clouds are wave clouds that have a characteristic lens shape. They can form wherever stable moist air flows over a mountain creating a series of waves on the downwind side.
What are shelf clouds?
Shelf clouds form as warm, moist air rises along the front edge of a gust front and are associated with severe thunderstorms. These clouds are especially prevalent when the air is very stable near the base of the thunderstorm.
What are cirrostratus clouds?
Cirrostratus clouds are thin, sheetlike high clouds that often cover the entire sky. They are so thin that the sun and moon can be clearly seen through them.
What are cumulonimbus clouds?
Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds which form if cumulus congestus clouds continue to grow vertically. Their dark bases may be no more than 300 m (1000 ft) above the Earth’s surface and their tops may extend upward to over 12,000 m (39,000 ft). Tremendous amounts of energy are released by the condensation of water vapor within a cumulonimbus. Lightning, thunder, and even violent tornadoes are associated with the cumulonimbus.
How do you pronounce cumulonimbus?
cumulonimbus
kyoo-myuh-loh-nim-buh s
What are cumulus clouds?
Cumulus clouds are puffy clouds that sometimes look like pieces of floating cotton. The base of each cloud is often flat and may be only 1000 m (330 ft) above the ground. The top of the cloud has rounded towers. When the top of the cumulus resembles the head of a cauliflower, it is called cumulus congestus or towering cumulus. These clouds grow vertically, and they can develop into a giant cumulonimbus which is a thunderstorm cloud.
Low stratus clouds, what are they like?
Low Stratus clouds are uniform grayish clouds that often cover the entire sky. They resemble a fog that does not reach the ground. Usually, no precipitation falls from the stratus, but sometimes it may drizzle. When a thick fog “lifts,” the resulting cloud is low stratus.
What’s a Kelvin-helmholz cloud?
A Kelvin-Helmholz cloud forms when there are changes in wind speed and direction. A cold air layer above may cap the cloud, forming layers and a wavelike appearance.
What’s a Mammatus cloud?
Mammatus clouds form in sinking air. (Most clouds form in rising air.) Although mammatus most frequently form on the underside of a cumulonimbus, they can develop underneath cirrocumulus, altostratus, altocumulus, and stratocumulus. For a mammatus to form, the sinking air must be cooler than the air around it and have high liquid water or ice content. They derive their name from their appearance. The baglike sacs that hang beneath the cloud resemble cow’s udders.
What’s a cumulus cloud?
Cumulus clouds are puffy clouds that sometimes look like pieces of floating cotton. The base of each cloud is often flat and may be only 1000 m (330 ft) above the ground. The top of the cloud has rounded towers. When the top of the cumulus resembles the head of a cauliflower, it is called cumulus congestus or towering cumulus. These clouds grow vertically, and they can develop into a giant cumulonimbus which is a thunderstorm cloud.
