Clouds
By: Tarryn
Upper Level Clouds
- Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus
- thin, white, and composed of ice crystals
- small amount oh H2O vapor and low temps. at such high altitudes
- 6 Km (freezing point)
Middle Level
- 2-6 Km
- composed of liquid H2O
- Alto Cumulus-indicate settles weather
- Alto Stratus-indicate changing weather
Lower Level Clouds
- 2 km
- sometimes occur as individual clouds
- more often look like general overcast conditions
- often widespread and associated with somber
- skies and drizzly rain
- Stratus(general overcast), Stratocumulus, Stratonimbus(rain)
Vertical Clouds
- low bases with heights of as much as 15 km
- indicate very active vertical movement in the air
- Cumulus- puffy with vertical movement
- Cumulonimbus-bring storms
Radiation Fog
- results when the ground loses heat through radiation usually at night
- ground is warmer than the air as it warms the and increases the dew point air cools due to the loss of radiation
- the due point is reached and a cloud/or fog is formed
Advection Fog
- when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cold surface
- such as snow covered ground or a cold ocean current (sea to land)