Clouds
Soft billowing clouds that resemble cotton puffs
cumulus
the process where a gas changes to a liquid
condensation
the release of water from the atmosphere in any form is called
precipitation
air mass that forms over the oceans of the tropics
maritime tropical air mass
atmospheric disturbances characterized by strong winds, heavy precipitation or lightning
storms
flat, gray layer of heavy clouds not far above the ground
Stratus
the process where a liquid turns into a gas
evaporation
supercooled raindrops that fall in liquid form but freeze on contact with the ground
freezing rain
air mass that forms over land
continental air mass
a current of rising air, sometimes triggered by convection, air moving over a mountain or by a cold front is called
updraft
wispy clouds made from ice crystals that float near the troposphere
cirrus
What type of front occurs when 2 air masses meet and neither can push the other out of the way
stationary
Ice crystals that fall from the clouds and are carried back up by updrafts, causing this type of precipitation to grow larger
hail
bitterly cold air mass formed over snow and ice covered areas
arctic air mass
the stage of a storm that involves a rising updraft that draws in more and more warm moist air, then forms a rapidly growing cumulus cloud
cumulus stage
a cloud that usually forms over mountains, look like a lens
lenticular
when warm air advances and moves over the cooler air, it is called a _______ front.
warm
ice crystals that absorb water and water vapor from their surroundings and grow, forming six-sided crystal structures
snow
cool air mass that brings cool, wet weather with them as they move south
maritime polar air mass
the stage of a storm when precipitation begins to reach the ground
mature stage
a cloud type often called thunderstorms
cumulonimbus
the boundary where 2 air masses meet and "fight it out" to see which is strongest is called a
front
the movement of water from the sea to the air and back to the sea
water cycle
The density of an air mass is affected by temperature, humidity and _________.
pressure
stage of a storm when it begins losing its strength, and the entire lower portion of the cloud consists of downdrafts
dissipating stage