Clouds and Precip Type Clouds are classified on the basis of two criteria: * form and height. The three basic cloud forms are cirrus (high, white, and thin), cumulus (globular, individual cloud masses), and stratus (sheets or layers).

Clouds Heights Cirrus -High, with bases above 6000 meters (20,000 feet) – Alto - Middle, from 2000 to 6000 meters -- Stratus -Low, below 2000 meters (6500 feet) -- Based on the two criteria, ten basic cloud types, including cirrostratus, altocumulus, and stratocumulus, are recognized

Clouds Heights Nimbo/Nimbus -- Rain cloud, Dark gray. Steady all day rain. Clouds of Vertical Development - Cumulus and Cumulonimbus. They develop into towers or domes Cumulonimbus – Thunderstorms, heavy rain

Precipitation Rising Air, Condensation, Clouds Temperature Profile of the Atmosphere. - Is it warm or Cold. Above 32 or below

Will it Snow or Rain? Temperature Profile

Precipitation – Rain, Snow, Sleet, Freezing Rain Temperature Profile of the Atmosphere. - Is it warm or Cold. Above 32 or below Rain – All Layers above 32 Snow – All Layers below 32 Sleet – Cold, Warm, Cold Layers Freezing Rain – Warm, Shallow Cold Air

Precipitation – Rain Rain – All Layers Above 32 Degrees

Precipitation – SNOW Snow – All Layers below 32 Degrees

Precipitation – Sleet Sleet – Cold, Warm Cold layers

Precipitation – (Glaze) Freezing Rain Freezing Rain – Warm, Cold Surface

When water changes state, heat is exchanged between water and its surroundings. When water evaporates, heat is absorbed. When water condenses, heat is released. This heat is measured by calories. One calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1C.Because the Heat is used to melt ice does not produce a temperature change, its referred to as latent heat. Latent heat means hidden. It takes 80 calories to melt one gram of ice. It takes about 540 to 600 calories to go from gas to liquid. To go from Gas to Solid (deposition) heat released 680 calories.

It takes 80 calories to melt one gram of ice It takes 80 calories to melt one gram of ice. It takes about 540 to 600 calories to go from gas to liquid. To go from Gas to Solid (deposition) heat released 680 calories.