Types of Clouds

Cloud Formation Clouds form when water condenses around a condensation nucleus (dust, pollen, smoke, etc.) These form droplets that grow due to more condensation until there are many droplets and the condensation process becomes balanced Clouds are clumps of water droplets or ice crystals that are dense enough for us to see

Cloud Formation Clouds form as air rises either due to convection currents caused by heat from land masses, lifting over air masses, or from topography

Types of Clouds There are three basic types of clouds: Cirrus = high, thin, white clouds that look wispy Cumulus = have flat base and fluffy rounded tops, can see individual clouds Stratus = sheets of cloud that have no distinct individual clouds and cover the sky in layers See Fig 12.14 and 12.15

High Clouds There are three main types of clouds seen high (above 6000m) in the atmosphere: Cirrocumulus = fluffy masses Cirrostratus = flat layers Cirrus = wispy filaments

Middle Clouds Clouds seen in the middle part of the atmosphere (2000-6000m) are prefixed with alto They include: Altocumulus = larger fluffy masses Altostratus = sheet of clouds, either white or grey, will cause light precipitation

Low Clouds Low clouds form below 2000m They include: Stratus = uniform layer that can produce light precipitation Stratocumulus = like stratus clouds, but fluffier and in patches Nimbostratus = layer of thick grey clouds, make lots of precip. in stable conditions

Clouds with Vertical Development Cumulus = fluffy white clouds seen on sunny days Cumulus clouds can undergo vertical development (they get taller) due to unstable conditions and form cumulonimbus clouds These are very tall (past 6000m), have an anvil head and create thunderstorms

Types of Clouds