Weather and Climate: Ch. 5 Flashcards
Billions of minute water droplets and/or ice crystals suspended above surface
Clouds
How does air reach saturation?
- Cooling air to dew point temp (air temp = DPT)
- Cool, unsaturated air passes over a warm body of water
- Surface to condense on
Minute particles in atmosphere:
- Volcanic eruptions
- Wind erosion of soil
- Forest fires
- Ocean spray
- Pollution
Hygroscopic Nuclei:
- Water Seeking (ex: sea salt)
- Condensation at RH < 100%
Who came up with the cloud classification system?
Luke Howard
Stratus (“layer”) =
sheetlike cloud
Cumulus (“heap”) =
puffy cloud
Cirrus (“curl of hair”) =
wispy cloud
Nimbus (“violent rain”) =
rain cloud
What are the 2 criteria for classification of clouds?
Height and Form
Types of cloud height:
- low
- mid
- high
- vertical
Types of cloud form:
- shape
- density
- color
Characteristics of high clouds
- Bases above 20,000’
- Made of ice crystals, thin
- Usually white
Thin, wispy, feathery clouds blown by high winds into long streams, mares’ tales of have a hook
Cirrus (Ci)
Characteristics of Cirrocumulus (Cc)
- Small, white, rounded patches
- Occur individually or in long rows
- Rippel appearance
- “Makerel sky” pattern
- Chicken poppers
Transparent, thin, sheetlike cloud
Cirrostratus (Cs)
Sun and moon clearly shine through ___________ clouds
Cirrostratus (Cs)
Ice crystals in cirrostratus clouds often produce a _____
halo
Ring of light that encircles sun or moon
Halo
What is the base of a middle cloud
6,500’ and 20,000’
What are middle clouds made of?
Ice crystals and water droplets
Large patches of rounded masses or rolls
Altocumulus (Ac)
Usually one part of cloud is darker than the other
Altocumulus (Ac)
If altocumulus clouds appear early on a warm, humid summer morning, there is a good chance of a…
late afternoon (severe) thunderstorm
What cloud is chicken nuggets
Altocumulus (Ac)
Uniform grayish cloud that cover all or large portions of sky
Altostratus (As)
Altostratus clouds are thick so the sun is only ______ visible, referred to as “Watery sun”
dimly
When do altostratus clouds form
often ahead of storms
What kind of precipitation comes from altostratus clouds
widespread and continuous precipitation
What is the base of low clouds?
Below 6500’
Low, lumpy cloud layer that appears in groups or rounded masses
Stratocumulus (Sc)
Blue sky visible between individual clouds
Stratocumulus (Sc)
What cloud is like chicken strips?
Stratocumulus (Sc)
Uniform, white to light gray cloud that blankets entire sky
Stratus (St)