cloud formation - how clouds form and different types of clouds

Cloud formation

Rising Air• Imagine a block of air, or air parcel, rising

upward through the atmosphere. • The air parcel expands as it rises and this

expansion and causes the temperature of the air parcel to decrease.

Condensation• As the parcel rises the air is cooler.• Cold air holds less water than hot air,

therefore, the water vapor gets closer together, and cloud droplets begin forming.

CONDENSATION

Water vapor combing to make water droplets

Formation…• This can happen through many different ways– Convection Currents– Lifting– Frontal Activity

Convection Currents

Lifting (help of mountains)

Frontal Activity (Warm & Cold)

• There are many different types of clouds. They are classified as:• High Altitude• Middle Altitude• Low

• HIGH ALTITUDE CLOUDS:• Cirrocumulus – Puffy, patchy look with spaces• Cirrostratus – light gray or white, thin, covers

most of the sky. • Cirrus – thin wispy and feathery appearance

• MIDDLE ATLTITUDE CLOUDS:• Altocumulus – puffy, patchy look with spaces• Altostratus – light gray and uniform in

appearance. Covers most of the sky.

• LOW ATITUDE CLOUDS:• Cumulus – puffy, looks like cotton balls/popcorn• Stratus – light/dark gray and uniform. Fog!• Stratocumulus – irregular masses, rolling or puffy with

spaces.• Nimbostratus – dark gray with precipitation falling from

them. Bases are hard to see b/c of rain.• Cumulonimbus – large clouds w/ dark bases and tall

billowing towers. Also known as “Thunder Clouds”

LOW ATITUDE CLOUDS (close up)

LOW ATITUDE CLOUDS (close up)

LOW ATITUDE CLOUDS (close ups)

What questions do you have about cloud formation or types of clouds?