Clouds and Fog Section 24.2. Cloud Formation Clouds result from the condensation of water vapor in...
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Transcript of Clouds and Fog Section 24.2. Cloud Formation Clouds result from the condensation of water vapor in...
Clouds and Fog
Section 24.2
Cloud Formation
• Clouds result from the condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere
• Suspended particles of ice, slat, dust, etc, provide the surfaces necessary for the cloud-forming condensation. These particles are called condensation nuclei.
Adiabatic Temperature Changes
• Are changes in temperature that result from the expansion or compression of air
• For dry air, temperature of dry air decreases about 1°C for every 100 m
• For moist air it varies from 0.5°C to 0.7°C per 100m
Condensation Level
• When the air reaches a level where its temperature is lower than its dew point, the moisture in the air condenses to form a cloud
Forceful Lifting
• Air can be forced up quickly when it encounters a mountain range
• During storms, warm air is pushed above denser cooler air
Classification of Clouds
• Clouds are classified by their form and altitude
• Low clouds – up to 2000 m
middle clouds -2000-6000 m
high clouds – above 6000 m
Stratus clouds
• Sheetlike, layered clouds. These are the most extensive clouds in the sky.
• Little rain usually falls from these kinds of clouds
• Varieties: nimbostratus, altostruatus
Cumulus
Cumulus CLouds
Cirrus Clouds