Clouds part 2

Question 1

The basic forms of cloud are -

Answer 1

stratiform, cumuliform and cirriform.

Question 2

Clouds which is a layered type of considerable horizontal extent, but little vertical extent -

clouds which is heaped, displaying a marked vertical extent, of greater or lesser degree -

clouds which is fibrous, wispy or hair-like in appearance. Only found at high levels in the troposphere -

Answer 2

Stratiform

cumuliform

cirriform

Question 3

Low level clouds may be(names) -

rain bearing cloud will have the prefix/suffix of -

the two types of cloud which are classified as “low-level” but may extend to higher levels -

The height of these cloud(oxford and avex) -

Answer 3

stratus, stratocumulus, cumulus and cumulonimbus.

nimbus or nimbo.

cumulus and cumulonimbus

below 6500ft(oxford), 8 000ft(avex)

Question 4

Medium-level clouds are characterised by the prefix -

With one being the exception -

The heights(oxford and avex) -

Answer 4

alto

nimbostratus

between 6500ft and 23 000ft(oxford), 8 000ft and 20 000ft(avex)

Question 5

The names of high-level clouds are prefixed by -

The heights(oxford and avex) -

Answer 5

cirro

Above 23 000ft(oxford), above 20 000ft(avex)

Question 6

Which type of clouds?:

Generally a grey, layered cloud with a fairly uniform base, which may produce drizzle, or light snow. The vertical extent may be from a few hundred feet up to several thousand feet. It is usually the lowest of all cloud types.

Answer 6

Stratus

Question 7

Which type of clouds?:

It appears grey, or whitish, but usually has distinct dark parts. Can be seen as patches, or in a continuous layer. Usually no more than 2 000ft - 3 000ft thick, but may become 5 000 - 6 000ft deep in certain conditions. The base is between 1 000ft and 4500ft.

Answer 7

Stratocumulus

Question 8

Which type of clouds?:

A dense, dark-grey, rain-bearing, stratiform cloud, producing extensive and long-lasting continuous or intermittent precipitation. Usually the cloud base is between the surface and 6500 ft above ground level. Generally found at the warm front in polar front depressions.

Answer 8

Nimbostratus

Question 9

Which type of clouds?:

This cloud is the most common form of convective cloud, being classified as heaped cloud. For glider pilots, a developing one of this type is regarded as a reliable indication of the presence of thermal upcurrents which, if skilfully exploited, can enable the glider to gain height.

Something to remember in terms of turbulence with this cloud?

Answer 9

Cumulus.

Turbulent underneath this cloud, smooth above.

Question 10

Cumulonimbus cloud tops could reach -

Answer 10

The tropopause.

Question 11

which type of cloud?:

Takes the form of speckled white or grey cloud. The patches of cloud appear as rounded masses of fibrous or diffuse aspect. prefixed with “Alto”

There are two forms of this cloud which are of particular significance.

1. one type is found downwind of mountainous or hilly areas, and is indicative of the presence of mountain wave activity.
2. This is a “bubbly” form of the normal type. The “towers” that form are like battlements on castles, hence the name. These clouds are significant because they often herald a change to showery, thundery weather and are a feature of summer weather in temperate latitudes.

Answer 11

Altocumulus.

1. Altocumulus Lenticularis
2. Altocumulus castellanus

Question 12

Which type of cloud?:

This is a grey or bluish sheet, or layer of cloud, which can be fibrous or uniform in appearance prefixed with “alto”. Sometimes, this type covers the whole sky, giving a “ground glass” effect around the sun or moon.it can be from around 2000 ft to 8000 ft thick. But despite its thickness, is not a dense cloud, and the sun is usually perceptible through the cloud layer.

Answer 12

Altostratus

Question 13

Which type of cloud?:

This is the highest of all the cloud types and is composed entirely of ice crystals. This cloud take the form of white delicate filaments, in patches or narrow bands. They may also be described as fibrous or hair-like. They often herald the approach of a warm front.

Answer 13

Cirrus

Question 14

Which type of cloud?:

A transparent, whitish cloud-veil of fibrous or smooth appearance, totally or partially covering the sky.
Made up of ice crystals, and the presence of usually indicates the approach of a warm front. In tropical regions is often associated with the presence of tropical revolving storms. Often produces a halo around the sun or the moon.

Answer 14

Cirrostratus

Question 15

Which type of cloud?:

This is probably the cloud which is least often seen in the sky. A thin, white and patchy layer of cloud, with ripples, more or less regularly arranged. Consists of ice crystals.

Answer 15

Cirrocumulus

Question 16

Clouds base, tops and thickness(if any):

1. Stratocumulus -
2. Nimbostratus -
3. Cumulus -
4. Cumulonimbus -
5. Altostratus -

Answer 16

1. Thickness usually 2 000ft - 3 000ft, but may become 5 000ft to 6 000ft deep. The base is between 1 000ft and 4500ft. Low level cloud
2. Base is usually between the surface and 6500ft. Low level cloud
3. The cloud base is usually between 1 000ft and 5 000ft but this increases as the surface temperature increases.
4. Great vertical extent, tops can reach tropopause. Base between 2 000ft and 5 000ft.
5. 2 000ft to 8 000ft thick.

Question 17

Stages of cumulus development:

1. small ragged cloud usually forming in the early morning, may also be
   found in the precipitation zone below Cb -
2. also known as Fair Weather Cu, small Cu, the next stage of development usually seen early in the morning-
3. larger cumulus, distinguished by light upper areas having a cauliflower appearance but very dark underneath (moderate vertical development) -
4. also known as Towering Cumulus (TCU) (strong vertical development) -
5. The tops are now rounded but do not have a fibrous appearance and there is no anvil -
6. any Cb having an anvil -

Answer 17

1. Cumulus Fractus (Cu Fra)
2. Cumulus Humilis (Cu Hum)
3. Cumulus Mediocris (Cu Med)
4. Cumulus Congestus (Cu Con)
5. Cumulonimbus Calvus (Cu Cal)
6. Cumulonimbus Capillatis (Cb Cap)

Question 18

Cloud and associated conditions:

1. Low and stable conditions:
2. Medium and stable conditions:
3. High and stable conditions:
4. Low and unstable conditions:
5. Medium/high and unstable conditions:

Answer 18

1. Stratus, Stratocumulus
2. Nimbostratus, Altostratus
3. Cirrus, Cirrostratus
4. Cumulus, Cumulonimbus
5. Altocumulus castellannus, altocumulus, cirrocumulus

Question 19

Precipitation associated clouds:

1. drizzle/light rain:
2. light to moderate rain:
3. heavy precipitation:
4. Heavy showers:

Answer 19

1. Stratus, Stratocumulus
2. Altostratus
3. Nimbostratus
4. cumulus, cumulonimbus

Question 20

Clouds associated with turbulence:

1. turbulence cloud(clouds formed due to turbulence):
2. No turbulence
3. Light turbulence
4. Light - moderate turbulence
5. Moderate - severe turbulence

Orographic uplift can give moderate/severe turbulence and icing in -

the ragged cloud found in the precipitation below Ns, caused by the evaporation of the water droplets saturating the air and low level turbulence leading to the formation of the cloud -

Answer 20

1. Stratus, stratocumulus
2. Stratus, cirrostratus, cirrus
3. stratocumulus, cirrocumulus
4. altostratus, altocumulus
5. Nimbostratus, cumulus, cumulonimbus,

Stratocumulus

Stratus Fractus (St Fra)