Clouds!
By:Claire Thompson
High
6 km; small amount of water vapor and low temps. due to the altitude
-thin white and composed of ice crystals
Cirrus; Cirrocumulus; Cirrostratus
Middle
2-6 km, composed of liquid water vapor
alto means middle
Altocumulus; Altostratus
Low
2 km, sometimes occur as individual clouds but more often appear as general overcast
-often widespread and are associated with somber skies and drizzly rain
Types: stratus; stratocumulus; nimbostratus
Vertical
low bases that extend to heights as much as 15 km
indicate very active vertical movements in the air
Types: Cumulus, Cumulonimbus
Fog
A cloud on the ground, 4 types
Radiation Fog- results when the ground loses heat through radiation usually at night
Advection Fog- when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cold surface such as snow covered ground or a cold ocean
Upslope Fog- created adiabatic cooling occurs when humid air climbs a topographic slope
Evaporation Fog- water vapor is added to cold air that is already near saturation