1. CLOUDS

2. Alabama – 12/16/11

4. Cloud Formation Rising air cools by , called adiabatic cooling.
2. Air cools to and occurs
expansion
dew point
condensation

5. Cloud Formation - surfaces the water vapor condenses on Examples:
4. HEAT is back into the atmosphere
Condensation Nuclei
Dust, ash, salt
released/added

6. What Causes Air to Rise?
A. Convection – warm air is heated and rises because its than the surrounding air
less dense

7. What Causes Air to Rise? B. - air is forced up a mountain
Orographic Lift
Rises, expands, cools to dew point and condenses

9. What Causes Air to Rise?
C. Lifted along a front.

10. What Causes Air to Rise?
Low Pressure – air rises if drawn into areas of low pressure.
(more on that later)

12. Precipitation Any water that falls to Earth due to
Cloud droplets may become heavy enough to fall by coming together
gravity

13. Precipitation
Precipitation is a natural cleansing process for atmosphere, increases the transparency of the atmosphere
Types of Precipitation:
Rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc