Download ESChap11Atmosphere Section 3

The Atmosphere
Chapter 11 Section 3
3. Clouds and
Precipitation
Objectives
• Explain how clouds
are formed
• Identify the basic
characteristics of
different cloud
groups
• Describe the water
cycle
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
1. Warm, moist air rises.
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
1. Warm, moist air rises.
2. This air expands and cools
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
1. Warm, moist air rises.
2. This air expands and cools
3. The air reaches its dew point
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
1. Warm, moist air rises.
2. This air expands and cools
3. The air reaches its dew point
4. Water droplets condense
around condensation nuclei
Surface on which water droplets can form. Smoke
or dust particles can act as condensation nuclei
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
1. Warm, moist air rises.
2. This air expands and cools
3. The air reaches its dew point
4. Water droplets condense
around condensation nuclei
5. A cloud forms
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
1. Orographic lifting
Cloud formation as a result of wind moving air
into a mountain. This moves the air upward.
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
1. Orographic lifting
2. Warm air encounters cold air
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
C. Atmospheric stability
The ability to resist rising
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
C. Atmospheric stability
1.
A stable atmosphere has no clouds, or
thin, layers of clouds.
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
C. Atmospheric stability
1.
A stable atmosphere has no clouds, or
thin, layers of clouds.
2.
An unstable atmosphere will have
vertical development. Thunderstorms
indicate an unstable atmosphere.
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
C. Atmospheric stability
D. Latent heat
The heat exchanged during a phase change.
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
C. Atmospheric stability
D. Latent heat
1.
Energy required to evaporate water is
stored in the water vapor.
I. Cloud Formation
A. Steps to making clouds
B. Causes for warm air to rise
C. Atmospheric stability
D. Latent heat
1.
Energy required to evaporate water is
stored in the water vapor.
2.
When the water vapor condenses this
heat is released.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
Cirrus
http://www.cloudman.com/atlas/atlas.htm
Form high in atmosphere, made of ice
crystals, appear as thin, white, feathery clouds
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
2.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Flat-based, puffy white clouds with cauliflower
appearance on top. Extends vertically several thousand ft.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
3 main
cloud
types
1.
2.
3.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus
http://www.cloudman.com/atlas/atlas.htm
Layered cloud that covers most of the sky.
Forms at low altitudes. Often gray.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus
Cirrostratus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
High, thin clouds that give sky a milky white
appearance.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus
Cirrostratus
Cirrocumulus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
Delicate clouds forming in bands a ripples. These
rare clouds form when cirrus clouds degenerate.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
Altostratus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
Clouds of intermediate height, having blue-gray
appearance. Composed of ice crystals and water.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
Have oval shapes, colored white with gray
undersides. May produce mild precipitation.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
8.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Nimbostatus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
Often associated with steady precipitation. Can
occur in thick, continuous layers.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
8.
9.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Nimbostatus
Stratocumulus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
Can cover the sky in dark, heavy masses. Form
irregular masses close to the ground.
I. Cloud Formation
E. Types of clouds
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Nimbostatus
Stratocumulus
Cumulonimbus
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
Puffy, white cloud. Towering clouds that extend
upward to heights of 2-5 miles. Cause thunderstorms
II. The Water Cycle
The End