Cloud descriptions

Today

• Homework in

• More clouds

Low Clouds

3. Low Clouds- Stratus (St)- Stratocumulus (Sc)- Nimbostatus (Ns)

Low clouds are usually below 2000m and consist primarilyof water droplets. The sun cannot be seen through stratus clouds.

Nimbostratus CloudNimbostratus Cloud

Figure 6.14Figure 6.14

Low clouds Low clouds (below 2000m) (below 2000m) with with precipitation precipitation that reaches the that reaches the ground.ground.

Shredded parts Shredded parts of these clouds of these clouds are called are called stratus fractus stratus fractus or scud.or scud.

Stratocumulus CloudsStratocumulus Clouds

Low clouds with rounded patches that range in color from light to Low clouds with rounded patches that range in color from light to dark gray.dark gray.With your hand extended overhead, they are about the size of your With your hand extended overhead, they are about the size of your palm and cover most of the sky.palm and cover most of the sky.

Figure 6.15Figure 6.15

Stratus CloudsStratus Clouds

Figure 6.16Figure 6.16

Low clouds that resemble a fog, but do not reach the ground, and Low clouds that resemble a fog, but do not reach the ground, and can generate a light mist or drizzle.can generate a light mist or drizzle.

Clouds With Vertical Development

4. Clouds With Vertical Development- Cumulus (Cu)- Cumulonimbus (Cb)

Cumulus Humilis CloudsCumulus Humilis Clouds

Clouds with vertical development that take a variety of shapes, Clouds with vertical development that take a variety of shapes, separated by sinking air and blue sky.separated by sinking air and blue sky.

Shredded sections are called cumulus fractus.Shredded sections are called cumulus fractus.

Figure 6.17Figure 6.17

Cumulus Congestus CloudsCumulus Congestus Clouds

Figure 6.18Figure 6.18

Clouds with vertical development that become larger in height, with Clouds with vertical development that become larger in height, with tops taking a ragged shape similar to cauliflower.tops taking a ragged shape similar to cauliflower.

Cumulonimbus CloudCumulonimbus Cloud

Clouds with vertical development that have grown into a towering Clouds with vertical development that have grown into a towering thunderstorm cloud with a variety of key features, including the thunderstorm cloud with a variety of key features, including the anvil top.anvil top.

Figure 6.18Figure 6.18

Cumulonimbus (Cb) - Thundercloud

Summary of Cloud TypesSummary of Cloud Types

Figure 6.20Figure 6.20

Some Adjectives

Castellanus -- Tower-like vertical development.

Congestus -- Crowded in heaps

Lenticularis -- Lens shaped

Mammatus -- Hanging protuberances

Pileus -- Cap Cloud

Lenticular CloudsLenticular Clouds

Figure 6.21Figure 6.21

An unusual An unusual cloud that cloud that has a lens has a lens shape and shape and forms in the forms in the crest of a crest of a wave.wave.

Banner CloudBanner Cloud

A lenticular cloud that forms downwind of a mountain peak and is A lenticular cloud that forms downwind of a mountain peak and is regularly replenished by condensing water vapor.regularly replenished by condensing water vapor.

Figure 6.22Figure 6.22

Pileus CloudPileus Cloud

Figure 6.23Figure 6.23

An unusual An unusual cloud that cloud that forms above forms above a building a building cumulus by cumulus by deflected deflected moist winds.moist winds.

Mammatus CloudsMammatus Clouds

An unusual cloud that hang like sacks, formed by sinking air with a An unusual cloud that hang like sacks, formed by sinking air with a high water content.high water content.

Figure 6.24Figure 6.24

Jet ContrailsJet Contrails

Figure 6.25Figure 6.25

Jet engine Jet engine exhaust provides exhaust provides vapor and nuclei vapor and nuclei for condensation for condensation trails (contrails), trails (contrails), which evaporate which evaporate quickly in dry quickly in dry air, but linger air, but linger with higher with higher relative relative humidities.humidities.

Nacreous CloudsNacreous Clouds

An unusual cloud best viewed at winter in the poles and forms in the An unusual cloud best viewed at winter in the poles and forms in the stratospherestratosphere..

Figure 6.26Figure 6.26

Noctilucent CloudsNoctilucent Clouds

Figure 6.27Figure 6.27

An unusual wavy cloud that is best viewed at the poles and forms in An unusual wavy cloud that is best viewed at the poles and forms in the upper mesosphere.the upper mesosphere.

Altocumulus (Ac)

Cirrus (Ci)

Stratocumulus (Sc)

Stratus (St)

Cirrus (Ci)

Cirrostratus (Cs)

Cumulus (Cu)

Altostratus (As)

Stratocumulus (Sc)

Cumulonimbus (Cb)

People I need to see (briefly)

• Anyone who collected a scantron with “FILL THIS IN” in red ink on the back.

• Kyle Briscoe, Brandon Menke