Clouds and Precipitation Project

By: Taylor Bauman

Adiabatic Temperature ChangesHappens when air is compresses or

expanded.When it expands it cools and when it

compresses it warms.As you travel up in the atmosphere the

atmosphere pressure decreases because there are fewer and fewer gas molecules.

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0070-adiabatic-temperature-changes.php

Orographic LiftingWhen elevated terrains act like barriers for

air to flow.If air descends, it warms adiabatically, then it

makes condensation and precipitation even less likely.

http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/edu/k12/.LiftingMechanisms

Frontal WedgingAssociated with specific storms called middle-

latitude cyclones.Cooler, denser air acts as a barrier over the

warmer, less dense air that rises.

http://www.wou.edu/las/physci/taylor/gs106/atm2_precip_files/frame.htm#slide0004.htm

ConvergenceAir in lower atmosphere flows together.Florida experiences the greatest number of

mid-afternoon thunderstorms.

http://certik.github.com/femhub.org/

Localized Convective Lifting

On warm summer days, unequal heating of the Earth’s surface may cause pockets of air be warmed more than the surrounding air.

https://www.meted.ucar.edu/sign_in.php?go_back_to=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.meted.ucar.edu%252Fdot%252Fprint.htm

StabilityStable air tends to remain in its original

position, while unstable air tends to rise.Measured by the temperature of the

atmosphere at various heights.

http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/models/EqStBOT.html

CondensationAir must be saturated.Water vapor in air turns to liquid.Occurs at dew point.

http://decorating.visitacasas.com/how-to-combat-condensation/

Types of CloudsClassified by their form and height.3 types: Cirrus, Cirromulus, Cirrostratus.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wcirrus.htm

High CloudsCirromulus consist of fluffy mass.Cirrostratus clouds are flat layers.

http://cloudjournal.blogspot.com/2007/11/cross-winds.html

Middle CloudsAltocumulus clouds consist of a rounded

mass, larger and denser.http://www.ifimages.com/public/image/139051/view.html

Low Clouds3 members: Stratus, Stratocumulus, and

Nimbostratus.Uniform, fog-like layer.

http://www.colby.edu/cpse/equipment2/highclouds/high.html

Clouds of Vertical DevelopmentBases are in low height range but extend

upward.They are all related and have unstable air.

http://www.pilotfriend.com/av_weather/meteo/clouds.htm

Fog ( by cooling and by evaporation)Fog is a cloud with its base at or very near

ground.Fog can form on cool, calm, clear nights.

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/8f.html

Cold Cloud PrecipitationBergeron process relies on two physical

processes: supercooling and supersaturated.Liquid below 0 degrees Celsius is said to be

supercooling.

http://ocw.usu.edu/Forest__Range__and_Wildlife_Sciences/Wildland_Fire_Management_and_Planning/Unit_4__Temperature-Moisture_Relationship_7.html

Warm Cloud PrecipitationThe thing that forms raindrops is called the

collision-coalescence process.As the raindrops move they join together with

smaller, slower droplets.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=warmrainpaper

Rain and SnowThe term rain means droplets that fall from a

cloud and a diameter of at least 0.5 mm. (smaller droplets are called drizzle)

At very low temperatures light, fluffy snow made up of 6 sided ice crystals.

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm

Sleet, Glaze and HailSleet is the fall of small particles of clear ice.Glaze also known as freezing rain happens

when raindrops become supercooled.

http://www.alabamawx.com/?tag=sleet

The End