Scribd
Upload
22 views18 pages

Cloud Formations IGCSE

Uploaded by

almondtrainers
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
22 views18 pages

Cloud Formations IGCSE

Uploaded by

almondtrainers
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18

Cloud Formations

C R TSWATSWA
CONDENSATION
Heat causes water to evaporate into the atmosphere. This air containing
the water vapour is heated at the surface of the earth and rises. As the air
rises, it cools and the water vapour condenses on some form of
particulate matter such as dust, ash, or smoke to form clouds. The
particulate matter are called Condensation Nuclei.

Condensation on spider webs. Views of early morning fog in Indiana


Importance of Clouds

Definition.
~ Clouds are a thick mass of suspended
water droplets or ice crystals.

~ The presence of clouds in the sky is


one type of signal to meteorologists that there
will be changes in the weather. Predicting the
weather requires the understanding of the
different types of clouds
Identifying Clouds
Meteorologists identify clouds based on five basic
cloud characteristics:

1. The altitude at which they occur


2. Color
3. Density
4. Shape
5. Degree of cover.

From this information, we can identify three basic cloud


types and seven other common cloud types.
Cloud Type by Form

 One form of classification is based on appearance or


form. Using these characteristics you can identify the
three basic cloud types: stratus, cirrus, and cumulus
Stratus Clouds
Stratus clouds are thin, sheet-like clouds. They are
layered with some rippling, and cover large portions of the
sky. They are frequently gray and thick. Stratus clouds
are formed when air is forced up slowly.
Cirrus Clouds
 Cirrus clouds are thin, white
clouds with a feathery
appearance.
 They are the highest of all
clouds forming at heights of
30,000 feet or more above the
earth's surface.
 Cirrus clouds are formed by
ice crystals.
 They generally occur in fair
weather and point in the
direction of air movement at
their elevation. Cirrus clouds
are usually the first sign of an
approaching storm.
Cumulus Clouds:

 Cumulus clouds are flat-


based, billowing clouds with
vertical doming. Often the top
of cumulus clouds have a
"cauliflower-like" appearance.
Cumulus clouds are most
prominent during the summer
months.

 Cumulus or fluffy clouds form


when air is forced up rapidly
and therefore rises higher.
Cloud Type by Altitude

Clouds can also be classified based on their altitude

There are three categories of cloud heights:

High Clouds = Cirrus

Middle Clouds = Alto

Low Clouds = Stratus


Cirro
High clouds: 7-18km
Cold: less than 25oC & made up of ice
crystals
Cirrostratus: high, wispy
clouds. They give the sky a
milky white appearance.

Cirrocumulus: delicate clouds


appearing in bands or ripples across
the sky. They are one of the least
common of the cloud types.
Alto
These clouds usually form from the gradual lifting of air in advance of a cold
front.
Middle level clouds: 2-7 km
0-25oC & composed of both water and ice crystals
The presence of altocumulus clouds on a warm and humid summer morning is
commonly followed by thunderstorms later in the day.
Altostratus: thin, layered clouds that
are blue-gray or whitish in color and
often cover large portions of the sky.
They are thinner if formed at higher
altitudes but are heavier and more dense
if closer to the ground.

* Picture of altocumulus clouds taken by satellite


Altocumulus: oval or eliptical in shape, and
can have gray undersides. They often have a
"cottonball-like" appearance.
Strato
Low level clouds: 0 - 4 km
o
Greater than 5 C & composed of water

Stratus: Dense, uniform dark gray


layers.

Stratocumulus: groups of dense, puffy


clouds that cover the sky in dark heavy
masses, long and gray. The often form in
bands across the sky.
Fog
Fog : Clouds at ground level
Radiation fog: forms at night when cold ground cools the air above it
(in valleys)
Advection fog: forms when warm, moist air moves over colder
surface and cools (in coastal areas)
In this fog, off the coast of Oregon, a cold ocean current cools the air to
the air’s dew point temperature. This cooling of the air created the fog.
This is called:

Advection Fog
For the development of this fog, warm water is evaporating into cool air.
The cool air becomes saturated (its relative humidity becomes 100%) and
condensation creates the fog. This is called:

Radiation Fog

Cold Air

Condensation

Evaporation

Warm Water
Cloud Type by Rain
 Finally, we can classify them based on the presence of rain
 Nimbus: any cloud that rains

Cumulonimbus: taller, towering Nimbostratus: low, flat clouds that are


versions of cumulus clouds. often associated with steady
Their height can be from two to precipitation and occur in thick,
five miles. These clouds often continuous layers and are often dark
form thunderstorms. gray in color.
Cumulonimbus Clouds
As seen from Apollo 8
THE END

You might also like