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Dew Point
the temperature at which condensation occurs because the air is saturated
Adiabatic Cooling
temperature change that occurs when air expands
Cirrus
high-altitude clouds that are thin, feathery tufts of ice crystals.
Convergence
as air is drawn together at the surface, like when there is a surface low pressure, it causes an upward movement of air.
Cumulus
low altitude thick, puffy, white clouds with flat bases, formed by vertically rising air currents often localized convective lifting or convergence
Condensation Nuclei
microscopic particles on which water vapor condenses to form cloud/fog droplets.
Dew
tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces when water vapor condenses
Alto
prefix meaning middle altitude in cloud classification
Capacity
the maximum amount of water that can be present in the air at a certain temperature; increases with increasing temperature.
Condensation
the change from water vapor to liquid water
Frost
feathery crystals of ice formed on surfaces when water vapor in the air deposits at a temperature below freezing
Cumulonimbus
a type of cumulus cloud that has vertical development, gray color, and associated with downpours, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail and cold fronts
Halo
a circle of light around the sun or moon in a cirrostratus cloud
Mare's Tail
type of cirrus cloud with a hook shape that can indicate rain within 24 hours if caused by a warm front
Nimbo
prefix-suffix to indicate that a cloud is rain-bearing
Orographic Lifting
mountains acting as barriers to the flow of air, forcing the air to rise.
Evaporation
the change from liquid water to water vapor
Rain Shadow
an area having relatively little precipitation due to the effect of a physical barrier like a mountain range on the adiabatic cooling and warming of air
Fog
a cloud in contact with the ground
Relative Humidity
a comparison of the actual amount of water vapor in the air with the maximum amount of water vapor that can be present in the air. (Specific Humidity/Capacity)
Saturation
the condition in which the air is holding as much water vapor as possible at a given temperature and pressure. When air is saturated it is also 100% RH and the dewpoint temperature has been reached so there will be condensation.
Specific Humidity
the amount of water vapor in the air at a given time and place; expressed as the number of grams of water vapor per kilogram of air.
Transpiration
the emission of water vapor into the atmosphere from the leaves of plants
Water Vapor
water in its gaseous form
Cloud
a collection of small water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air
Deposition
phase change from gas to solid
Latent Heat
heat absorbed or radiated during a change of phase
Mountain Wave Cloud
stationary lenticular clouds situated over and downwind of a prominent mountain range
Stratus
clouds that form in low, horizontal layers, covering all or most of sky
precipitation
Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.
