1. CLOUDS
Chapter 11.3 notes
Mr.Allbee

2. Cloud Formation
Clouds form as warm moist air is forced upwards, cools and water vapor condenses to form tiny water droplets.
Millions of tiny water droplets gather together to form a cloud

3. Cloud Formation
Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate –
how fast unsaturated air will cool as it rises
DAR = 100C for every 1000m rise
The height at which the dew point is reached and a cloud begins to form, the Lifted Condensation Level (LCL) has been reached.
Usually, the LCL is marked by the base or bottom of the cloud
Moist Adiabatic Rate - how fast saturated air cools above the LCL
MAR = avg. 60C for every 1000m rise

4. Cloud Formation Orographic Clouds
are clouds that are formed as moist air rises over mountains or other major geographic features. The air floats up the side of the mountain and cools quickly, condensing and turning into a cloud.

5. Cloud Classification Two common ways to classify clouds:
1. By Their Shape
Stratus
Cumulus
Cirrus
2. By Their Height
Cirro
Alto
Strato

6. Stratus Clouds

7. 3 Cloud Types Based on Shape
1. Stratus
Form in layers or smooth even sheets
Usually low altitude clouds
Associated with fair weather or drizzle
Sometimes forms a gray blanket covering the entire sky and produces light rain or drizzle

8. Cumulus Clouds

9. 3 Cloud Types Based on Shape
2. Cumulus
Masses of puffy white clouds
Associated with fair weather but may possibly produce thunderstorms

10. Cirrus Clouds

11. 3 Cloud Types Based on Shape
3. Cirrus
High, thin, white, feathery clouds
Associated with fair weather
Indicate that bad weather may be approaching

12. Height – Prefixes for Cloud Base
Cirro – High Level Clouds
Alto – Middle Level Clouds
Strato – Low Level Clouds

13. Other Types of Clouds Vertical Development Nimbus
High, towering clouds usually with a low altitude base
Nimbus
Dark clouds associated with heavy rain and storm

14. 10 Common Cloud Names Cirrus Cirrostratus Cirrocumulus AltoStratus
Altocumulus
Cumulus
Stratocumulus
Nimbostratus
Cumulonimbus

15. Altocumulus Clouds

16. Altostratus Clouds

17. Cirrocumulus

18. Cirrostratus Clouds

19. Cirrus Clouds

20. Cumulonimbus Clouds

21. Cumulus Clouds

22. Stratus Clouds

23. Nimbostratus Clouds

24. Stratocumulus Clouds