Cloud Types

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Cloud Types
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CONDENSATION
Air containing water vapor is heated at the
surface of the earth and rises (evaporation). 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.
Condensation on spider webs.
Views of early morning fog in Indiana
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Importance of Clouds

• So, what is a cloud?
• It is a thick mass of suspended water drops or
  ice crystals.
• What do clouds tell us?
• Signals for changes in the weather.
• Predicting the weather requires the
  understanding of the different types of clouds

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3 Basic Cloud Types

• Cirrus
• curl of hair ? feathery
• Cumulus
• heap or pile ? can be tall
• Stratus
• spread out ? flat layers

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Cirrus Clouds

• Thin, white clouds with a feathery appearance.
• They are the highest of all clouds
• Water vapor ice crystals.

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Cirrus Clouds

• They generally occur in fair weather and point in
  the direction of air movement at their elevation.
  
• Dense cirrus clouds are usually the first sign of
  an approaching storm.

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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.
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Cumulus Clouds

• Low altitude.
• Puffy white clouds that form when air is forced
  up rapidly.
• Neutral weather
• Can produce thunderstorms when they grow taller
• (cumulonimbus)

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Stratus Clouds
Low altitude. Formed when air is forced up
slowly. Layered, thin, sheet-like clouds. Often
gray and thick. Brings drizzle and rain.
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Cloud Type by Altitude Clouds can also be
classified based on their altitudeThere are
three categories of cloud heights High Clouds
Cirrus Middle Clouds Alto Low Clouds
Stratus
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Cloud Type by 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 big cumulus clouds that often form
thunderstorms.