CLOUDS

Alabama – 12/16/11

Cloud Formation

1. Rising air cools by ,

called adiabatic cooling.

2. Air cools to and occurs

expansion

dew point condensation

Cloud Formation

3. - surfaces the watervapor condenses on

Examples:

4. HEAT is back intothe atmosphere

Condensation Nuclei

Dust, ash, salt

released/added

What Causes Air to Rise?

A. Convection – warm air is heated and rises because its than the surrounding air

less dense

What Causes Air to Rise?

B. - air is forced up a mountain

Orographic Lift

Rises, expands, cools to dew point and condenses

What Causes Air to Rise?

C. Lifted along a front.

What Causes Air to Rise?

D. Low Pressure – air rises if drawn into areas of low pressure.

(more on that later)

Precipitation

Any water that falls to Earth due to

Cloud droplets may become heavy enough to fall by coming together

gravity

Precipitation

• Precipitation is a natural cleansing process for atmosphere, increases the transparency of the atmosphere

• Types of Precipitation:

Rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc