Types of Clouds
These clouds are formed in unstable air, and are like cotton and puffy.
What is a cumulus cloud?
Picture 1
Altocumulus clouds
When this happens, the air expands and cools.
What happens when air rises?
Heating that is caused by wind making contact with the earth's surface that is already heated.
What is convection?
Stratus clouds are formed in this type of air.
What cloud type will form in stable air?
These clouds form in stable air, and are flat.
What is a stratus cloud?
Picture 2
Altostratus clouds
This type of air sinks back into its original position when coming in contact with cooler air.
What is stable air?
This occurs when the sloping terrain forces the air upward.
What is Orographic lift?
It is short for above ground level.
What is AGL short for?
These clouds are thin and wispy and are blown by high winds into long streamers. They indicate good weather.
What is a cirrus cloud?
Picture 3
Cumulonimbus clouds
This type of air occurs when a mass of rising air is still warmer than the new air around it, and they continue to rise.
What is unstable air?
When different air masses meet, the warmer air is forced upwards by the denser, cold air.
What is frontal lift?
Low clouds,
Middle clouds,
High clouds,
Clouds of vertical development.
What are the 4 categories of cloud height?
These clouds are dark, gray, and layered. They are associated with continuous rain or snow.
What is a nimbostratus?
Picture 4
Stratocumulus clouds
This disturbance is caused by the change in temperature.
What causes vertical currents?
This turbulence is caused by friction due to buildings, trees, and uneven terrain which causes eddies. They are located in the troposphere.
What is a mechanical turbulence?
They are formed by the drop of temperature to the saturation point of the air or the increase of water in the air while the temperature is constant.
How are clouds formed?
These clouds are small round white puffs. The small ripples in this cloud resembles the scales of a fish. (It is also known as "mackerel sky")
What is a cirrucumulus cloud?
Picture 5
Cirrus clouds
Good visibility, cumulus type cloud, showery precipitation, gusty winds, and moderate to severe turbulence.
What are the characteristics of unstable air?
In low pressure systems, the wind blows towards the center of the system, making excess air that is collected and forced upward to a high altitude.
What is convergence?
After the air has been forced up by the terrain, it cools and becomes dense. The effect is similar to positive stability in an airplane.
How does orographic lift relate to air stability?