Upload
longs1rj
View
1.608
Download
2
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Classifying Different Types of Clouds
By: Ryan Longstreth
Clouds
Classified by height above ground and shape
High clouds-Bases above 20,000 feet
Middle Clouds-occupy heights from 6,500-20,000 feet
Low Clouds-form below 6,500 feet
High Clouds
Bases above 20,000 feet
Prefix cirro is used to name
Cirrus Cirrostratus Cirrocumulus
Cirrus Clouds
Thin and Wispy Feathery Appearance Have a net heating
effect Could be sign of
approaching frontal system
Maybe remnants of a thunderstorm
Cirrostratus Clouds
Classified as a high cloud Thin, Ice crystal clouds Often form halos around
moon or sun Can be signs of a warm
front Can signal precipitation
Cirrocumulus Clouds
Classified as a high cloud
Composed of ice crystals
Usually in ripples or waves as in the picture
Very uncommon Usually turn into
cirrostratus clouds
Middle Clouds
Occupy heights between 6,500 feet and 20,000 feet
Prefix alto is used in name
Altocumulus Altostratus
Altostratus Clouds
Made of Ice Crystals
Can produce very light precipitation
Sun often shines through them
No halos are ever produced
Altocumulus Clouds
Can be anywhere from white to gray
Usually appear as layers
Often precede a cold front
Can start the development of a thunderstorm
Low Clouds
Form below 6,500 feet
Stratus Stratocumulus Nimbostratus
Stratus Clouds
Flat and hazy Can be from dark
gray to nearly white
May produce light drizzle or snow
Can cause fog
Stratocumulus Clouds
Soft, Gray clouds Usually occur in
patches Most of the time no
precipitation Usually give fair
weather without much happening
Nimbostratus Clouds
Low cloud that produces rain
Usually have thickness of 2000 meters
Smooth, gray appearance
Commonly found in the midlatitudes
Clouds of Vertical Development
Extend vertically through more than one height range
Include Cumulus and cumulonimbus
Cumulus Clouds
Globular individual cloud masses
Cauliflower-like structure Dense Can extend up to 39,000
ft. Usually white
Cumulonimbus Clouds
Very tall and dense Often involved in
thunderstorms Heavy rainfall Tornadoes Result of
Atmospheric instability