Let’s watch Gary England’s video on cloud formation.

Let’s watch Gary England’s video on cloud formation.
Cloud Formations Let’s watch Gary England’s video on cloud formation.

And understanding it holds
The key to the present, Past, and future

New Area of Focus: Clouds
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Let’s watch Gary England’s video on cloud formation.
Cloud Formations Let’s watch Gary England’s video on cloud formation.

Which letter best represents water vapor in the air before cloud formation.

Answer! “C” Water vapor rises after evaporation and transpiration into the air.
B A C Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Answer! “B” Clouds form as the water vapor cools and clumps together around a condensation nuclei.

Clouds Water molecules attach to a condensation nuclei.

Condensation Nuclei Oceans Heat and cool the earth.
The oceans influence climate by absorbing solar radiation and slowly releasing heat needed to drive the atmospheric circulation. (High Specific Heat). Warm seas and wind are moved to the icy poles Humidify and dry the planet. Control the wind speed and direction. Part of the water and carbon cycle Phytoplankton in ocean produce half the oxygen Releases aerosols (small particles) that influence cloud cover, fall as rain, and absorbing carbon. Condensation Nuclei

Activity! Making a cloud

Activity! (Demonstration) Cloud in a bottle
Pour just enough warm water in the bottle to cover the bottom of the container. Light the match and place the match head inside the bottle. Allow the bottle to fill with smoke. Cap the bottle. Squeeze the bottle really hard a few times. When you release the bottle, you should see the cloud form. It may disappear between 'squeezes'. Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Answer! Cloud in a bottle.
Squeezing the bottle makes the bottle (slightly) smaller, thus forcing the air particles to get closer together and thus increases (slightly) the air pressure and temperature in the bottle. When you release the bottle the air expands back into its original volume lowering the pressure and temperature in the bottle to the point where the moisture in the air can condense. Smoke creates condensation nuclei particles. Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

In really dry places, morning fog can be collected
In really dry places, morning fog can be collected. Desert animals take advantage of dew. Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Can you die from the cold in a desert?

Yes, at night deserts get very cold.
Can you die from the cold in a desert? Yes, at night deserts get very cold.

Yes, at night deserts get very cold. Why?
Can you die from the cold in a desert? Yes, at night deserts get very cold. Why?

No Clouds Yes, at night deserts get very cold. Why?
Can you die from the cold in a desert? No Clouds Yes, at night deserts get very cold. Why?

Clouds help keep the warmer temperatures from rising into the atmosphere. (Insulation)

Clouds are like blankets
Clouds help keep the warmer temperatures from rising into the atmosphere. (Insulation) Clouds are like blankets

CONDENSATION Sunlight causes water to evaporate into the atmosphere. This air containing the water vapor is heated at the surface of the earth and rises. As the air rises, it cools and the water vapor condenses on some form of particulate matter such as dust, ash, or smoke to form clouds. The particulate matter are called Condensation Nuclei.

Condensation on spider webs Views of early morning fog in Indiana

Importance of Clouds So, what is a cloud? What do clouds tell us?
~ It is a thick mass of suspended water drops or ice crystals. What do clouds tell us? ~ The presence of clouds in the sky is one type of signal to meteorologists that there will be changes in the weather. Predicting the weather requires the understanding of the different types of clouds

Click here to see a great link that explains the phrase “Red sky in the morning, sailers take warning. Red skies at night, Sailers delight.”

Identifying Clouds To better communicate and understand the many cloud forms in the sky, meteorologists identify clouds based on five basic cloud characteristics: The altitude at which they occur 2. Color 3. Density 4. Shape 5. Degree of cover. From this information, we can identify three basic cloud types and seven other common cloud types.

Cloud Type by Form Clouds can be classified by some simple, but subjective, criteria that also provides information on the atmospheric conditions One form of classification is based on appearance or form. Using these characteristics you can identify the three basic cloud types: stratus, cirrus, and cumulus

Cirrus Clouds Cirrus clouds are thin, white clouds with a feathery appearance. They are the highest of all clouds forming at heights of 30,000 feet or more above the earth's surface. Cirrus clouds are formed by ice crystals. They generally occur in fair weather and point in the direction of air movement at their elevation. Cirrus clouds are usually the first sign of an approaching storm.

Cirrus Cloud Phenomenon
Sun Pillar Sometimes, when the sun is just below the horizon, aligned ice crystals reflect light from their crystal faces. We see the cumulative effect of millions of reflections of this sunlight as a sun pillar.

Cumulus Clouds: Cumulus clouds are flat-based, billowing clouds with vertical doming. Often the top of cumulus clouds have a "cauliflower-like" appearance. Cumulus clouds are most prominent during the summer months. Cumulus or fluffy clouds form when air is forced up rapidly and therefore rises higher. These are usually “fair weather” clouds.

Cloud Type by Altitude Clouds can also be classified based on their altitude There are three categories of cloud heights: High Clouds = Cirrus Middle Clouds = Alto Low Clouds = Stratus

Cold: Made of ice crystals
Cirro High clouds: 7-18km Cold: Made of ice crystals Cirrostratus: high, wispy clouds. They give the sky a milky white appearance. Cirrocumulus: delicate clouds appearing in bands or ripples across the sky. They are one of the least common of the cloud types.

Alto These clouds usually form from the gradual lifting of air in advance of a cold front. Middle level clouds: 2-7 km Composed of both water and ice crystals The presence of altocumulus clouds on a warm and humid summer morning is commonly followed by thunderstorms later in the day. Altostratus: thin, layered clouds that are blue-gray or whitish in color and often cover large portions of the sky. They are thinner if formed at higher altitudes but are heavier and more dense if closer to the ground. * Picture of altocumulus clouds taken by satellite Altocumulus: oval or eliptical in shape, and can have gray undersides. They often have a "cottonball-like" appearance.

Stratus: Dense, uniform dark gray layers.
Strato Low level clouds: km Greater than 5oC & composed of water Stratus: Dense, uniform dark gray layers. Stratocumulus: groups of dense, puffy clouds that cover the sky in dark heavy masses, long and gray. The often form in bands across the sky.

Fog : Clouds at ground level
Radiation fog: forms at night when cold ground cools the air above it (in valleys) Advection fog: forms when warm, moist air moves over colder surface and cools (in coastal areas)

In this fog, off the coast of Oregon, a cold ocean current cools the air to the air’s dew point temperature. This cooling of the air created the fog. This is called: Advection Fog

For the development of this fog, warm water is evaporating into cool air. The cool air becomes saturated (its relative humidity becomes 100%) and condensation creates the fog. This is called: Cold Air Condensation Evaporation Warm Water Radiation Fog

Cloud Type by Rain Finally, we can classify them based on the presence of rain Nimbus: any cloud that rains Nimbostratus: low, flat clouds that are often associated with steady precipitation and occur in thick, continuous layers and are often dark gray in color. Cumulonimbus: taller, towering versions of cumulus clouds. Their height can be from two to five miles. These clouds often form thunderstorms.

Cumulonimbus Clouds As seen from Apollo 8

Watch for Cumulus Clouds Steps: 1
Watch for Cumulus Clouds Steps: 1. Think "puffy" when you want to identify cumulus clouds. 2. Make a comparison to masses of cotton balls or piles of whipped cream. 3. Remember, cumulus clouds are the clouds we used to look at and imagine they were people, shapes, animals, etc.

Watch for Nimbus Clouds Steps: 1
Watch for Nimbus Clouds Steps: 1. Think "rain" when you see nimbus clouds. 2. Remember, nimbus clouds can be stratus or cumulus. 3. Watch for stratus clouds to evolve into nimbostratus formations when low-level clouds shed rain. 4. Look for cumulonimbus clouds when thunderstorms begin to build.

Watch for Stratus and Cirrus Clouds Steps: 1
Watch for Stratus and Cirrus Clouds Steps: 1. Think "flat" when you're identifying stratus clouds. 2. Remember, high altitude cirrostratus clouds appear as thin, wispy sheets. 3. Look for stratus clouds at any altitude. 4. Look high into the sky for cirrus clouds. 5. Remember, cirrus clouds consist of moisture thrown up by distant storms and turned to ice. 6. Watch for thin, hair-like, disconnected wisps of clouds at altitudes above 18,000 feet. 7. Remember, stratus and cumulus clouds can occur at those same altitudes; these clouds are correctly identified as cirrostratus and cirrocumulus clouds.

Which cloud type fits the following description?
Middle elevation, white, puffy, and represents pleasant weather. Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Stratus Which cloud type fits the following description?
Low elevation, gray, precipitation. Stratus Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

What type of cloud would this be?

Cumulonimbus Very tall, anvil shaped Massive thunderstorms.

Here are some links to online cloud matching games.

Any guesses what the next area of focus will be?

The movement of air, from high pressure to low pressure.

The weather is caused by the energy from the sun being distributed throughout earth.

Temperature differences over the land and over seas.

The topography of the land (Mountain Effect)

An important renewable resource.

Brings rain – Without wind, the land wouldn’t get the evaporated water from the oceans.

Wind blowing through your hair feels good / cools you down.

“This wind feels really good, can’t you tell.” “I’m so happy”
Wind blowing through your hair feels good / cools you down. “This wind feels really good, can’t you tell.” “I’m so happy” Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

The wind brings smell. Water, prey items, predators, etc.

Wind allows a bird to fly with minimal effort.

Many insects use wind to move / disperse.

To dry out and also to cool down.

Crocodiles and alligators open their mouths and allow wind to cool them down.

Doldrums- Areas of no wind
Doldrums- Areas of no wind , occurs at the equator, air here heats up fast causing low pressure. Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Activity! Draw the globe below.
60N 30N Equator 30S 60S Global Winds

60N 30N Doldrums Equator 30S 60S Global Winds

Horse Latitudes- Areas of no wind occurs at 30N + 30, air stops moving toward the poles and sinks.
When boats couldn’t find winds they would drop their weight. Often horses. Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

60N 30N Doldrums Equator 30S 60S Global Winds

60N 30N Horse Latitudes Doldrums Equator Horse Latitudes 30S 60S Global Winds

Trade Winds Trade Winds Global Winds
Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Trade Winds Horse Latitudes 30S 60S Global Winds

Prevailing Westerlies Prevailing Westerlies
Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Trade Winds Horse Latitudes 30S Prevailing Westerlies 60S Global Winds

Polar Easterlies- Cold air sinks and heads toward the equator,

Polar Easterlies- Cold air sinks and heads toward the equator, Coriolis Effect curves the winds

Coriolis Force means that you can’t fly in a straight line on a moving planet.

Coriolis Effect Activity
MATERIALS: 1 balloon per group, 1 permanent marker

Coriolis Effect Activity - How does Earth’s rotation affect wind?
PROCEDURE: Blow up a balloon and tie it off. Estimating the middle of the balloon draw a line around the middle of the balloon. This represents the equator. 3. Have a classmate slowly rotate the balloon to the right. Draw a line straight down from the top of the balloon to the center (equator) as the balloon rotates. 5. Have a classmate slowly rotate the balloon to the right. Now draw a line from the bottom of the balloon straight up to the center (equator) as the balloon rotates. WHAT DO YOU THINK? How did the rotation affect the lines that you drew? How does this activity demonstrate the Coriolis effect? CHALLENGE: How might changing the speed at which the balloon is rotated affect your results? Repeat the activity to test your prediction, explain what happened.

Coriolis Force: A rotating body deflects.

The Coriolis Force Video Link.

Pressure gradient forces cause the hurricanes to spin opposite of the Coriolis Force.

Pressure gradient forces cause the hurricanes to spin opposite of the Coriolis Force but the Coriolis Force keeps Atlantic forming hurricanes from crossing the equator and sends them NW. Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy

Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Trade Winds Horse Latitudes 30S Prevailing Westerlies 60S Global Winds

Polar Easterlies Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Trade Winds Horse Latitudes 30S Prevailing Westerlies 60S Polar Easterlies Global Winds

Prevailing Westerlies
Polar Easterlies Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator 30S 60S Global Winds

Polar Easterlies Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Horse Latitudes 30S 60S Global Winds

Polar Easterlies Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Horse Latitudes 30S 60S Polar Easterlies Global Winds

Polar Easterlies Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Trade Winds Horse Latitudes 30S 60S Polar Easterlies Global Winds

Polar Easterlies Activity! Draw the globe below. 60N Prevailing Westerlies 30N Horse Latitudes Trade Winds Doldrums Equator Trade Winds Horse Latitudes 30S Prevailing Westerlies 60S Polar Easterlies Global Winds

Click here to learn more about winds
Click here to learn more about winds. This article has some really great explanations.

Your homework for this week is to watch TV and play games!

Go back to slide 86 and play the cloud identification game
Click on the following link to watch Gary England’s Tornado Alley. You can skip the introductions if you like, but watch through number 6. You may go further if you would like. Also, watch the El Nino and La Nina videos Gary England’s Tornado Alley Make sure to pay attention. We are starting the really fun stuff next week, so this information will get you prepared. El Nino La Nina The El Nino and La Nina videos are from different sources because I liked the different information in each video. If your feeling industrious, look up which of these (if any) we are in now. Go back to slide 86 and play the cloud identification game Click here to play around with the El Nino and La Nina events Make sure you continue working on you “Unique cloud type and explanation” project.

Let’s watch Gary England’s video on cloud formation.

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Let’s watch Gary England’s video on cloud formation.

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