Meteorology 2100 Clouds PDF

METEOR 2100 Midterms Notes Introduction to Meteorology CLOUDS Terms Definition Concept/Explanation E...

METEOR 2100 Midterms Notes Introduction to Meteorology CLOUDS Terms Definition Concept/Explanation Example/Notes/Images Clouds Aggregates of microscopic water droplets It is important for Earth’s Climate or ice crystals suspended in the System because it influence radiation atmosphere. balance, hydrological cycles, and weather patterns. G Characteristics of The physical properties of clouds are Color and Thickness: The optical Example for color and Cloud color and thickness then shape and properties of clouds, influenced by their thickness is when the clouds formation water content and thickness, can indicate are darker, it typically signals weather conditions. rain. Shape and Formation: Cloud morphology can inform meteorologists about atmospheric conditions, such as stability, moisture content, and thermal dynamics. Role of Clouds in 1. Climate Regulation Climate Regulation: Weather @ 2. Precipitation Pattern 3. Weather Indication Clouds significantly affect Earth's radiative balance by reflecting sunlight (albedo effect) and trapping heat (greenhouse effect), thereby influencing global temperatures. Precipitation Patterns: Different cloud types are indicative of various weather events, allowing meteorologists to predict rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential severe weather. Weather Indicators: The presence and type of clouds can forecast changes in weather conditions, helping in short-term and long-term weather predictions. Condensation It is the physical process in which water In terms of Thermodynamic The factors affecting vapor transitions into liquid water, Principles, the process occurs when condensation are Temperature, primarily due to cooling. the air is cooled to its dew point, pressure, and Humidity. where it becomes saturated, which leads to the formation of cloud droplets. Condensation Tiny particles in the atmosphere on These particles are essential for Common sources of Nuclei which water vapor condenses to form cloud formation because water condensation nuclei include cloud droplets. vapor needs a surface to condense dust, sea salt, pollen, smoke, on. and even pollutants. G Cloud Formation 1. Evaporation Evaporation: Water from oceans, Process 2. Cooling lakes, and rivers vaporizes, rising into 3. Condensation Nuclei the atmosphere. 4. Cloud Development Cooling: Rising air expands and cools adiabatically, often leading to a drop in temperature and a decrease in its capacity to hold moisture. Condensation Nuclei: Water vapor condenses around small particles, such as dust, aiding droplet @ formation. Cloud Development: As droplets coalesce, clouds become visible, with varying density and more thickness influenced by environmental conditions.  Forms of Condensation Dew Water droplets forming on surfaces It mainly demonstrates localized overnight when temperatures drop. cooling. Dew is the result of water changing from a vapor to a liquid. Dew forms as temperatures drop and objects cool down. Vapor to Liquid Usually naoobserve sa morning. Frost Ice crystals that form on surfaces when Vapor to Solid the air temperature falls below freezing G and water vapor deposits directly as solid. Fog A cloud that forms at ground level, where It forms when the temperature and air is saturated with moisture, dew point of the air approach the same significantly reducing visibility. value Rain @ Forms of Precipitation (RSSH) Liquid water droplets that fall from Rain is produced by clouds whose tops clouds, characterized by their formation do not extend to temperatures colder from coalesced droplets exceeding 0.5 than 0° C. mm in diameter. Snow Ice crystals that fall as snowflakes. Formed when water vapor sublimates directly into solid crystals in cold conditions. Sleet Ice pellets that occur when rain freezes Typically happens in winter weather before reaching the ground, conditions. Hail Large ice spheres formed within strong thunderstorms, where updrafts repeatedly lift droplets above freezing levels before they fall. Types of Clouds High Level Clouds Above 20,000 feet Cirrus (Ci): Wispy, feather-like clouds Use the prefix “Cirro” composed of ice crystals, indicating fair G Includes Cirrus, Cirrostratus, and weather but can signal changes. Cirrocumulus They are primarily composed of ice Cirrostratus (Cs): Thin, ice-crystal crystals and signify weather changes, clouds covering the sky, often creating particularly approaching systems. a halo effect around the sun or moon. Cirrocumulus (Cc): Small, white patches of clouds that may appear rippled, indicating instability in the upper atmosphere. @ Middle Clouds 6,500 to 20,000 feet Altostratus (As): Gray or blue-gray Use the prefix “Alto” clouds that often cover the entire sky, Includes Altostratus and altocumulus indicating rain is likely. Often indicate moisture presence, playing a crucial role in precipitation patterns Altocumulus (Ac): White or gray clouds in patches or layers, often signaling instability. G Low Clouds Up to 6,500 feet Stratus (St): Uniform gray clouds that Use the prefix “Strato” or suffix can cover the entire sky, often bringing “Stratus” light precipitation. Includes Stratus (St), Stratocumulus (Sc), and Nimbostratus (Ns) They Are critical for understanding local weather phenomena and precipitation forecasting. Stratocumulus (Sc): Low, lumpy clouds covering the sky, typically indicating fair weather with occasional light rain. @ Nimbostratus (Ns): Thick, dark clouds that cover the sky and bring continuous, steady precipitation. Vertical Clouds with vertical development Cumulus (Cu): Fluffy, white clouds with Development begin in the low section of the a flat base, often associated with fair atmosphere and travel all the way up weather. through the higher section Cumulonimbus (Cb): Towering clouds These clouds are vital in severe associated with thunderstorms, capable weather prediction, illustrating of producing severe weather atmospheric instability and potential phenomena. for thunderstorms. The top of the towering cloud is called ANVIL TOP G @ @ G  Symbols used in Classifying Clouds Abbreviation Cloud Name St Stratus Cu Cumulus Sc Stratocumulus Ns Nimbostratus Ac Altocumulus G As Altostratus Cc Cirrocumulus Cs Cirrostratus Ci Cirrus Cb Cumulonimbus @