Module 6 (Clouds)

What is a cloud? What are the four main categories of clouds?

• high (cirr-) above 7km

• middle (alto-) between 2-7 km

• low (Strat-) below 2 km

• vertical development (cumu-)

Which two clouds can produce rain?

Nimbostratus and cumulonimbus

Why are the moist and dry adiabatic rates of cooling different?

Dry adiabatic rate: when the air parcel is not saturated, it cools Dry adiabatically.

Moist adiabatic rate: when an air parcel is saturated it cools instead at the moist adiabatic rate.

It differs because moist it also adds condensation to the picture cooling slower

How are Cirrus clouds different from Stratocumulus clouds?

Cirrus clouds are like filaments and fibers in the higher altitudes which contain ice crystals. While stratocumulus being lower altitude are more full and fluffy.

Cirrus clouds are like filaments and fibers in the higher altitudes which contain ice crystals. While stratocumulus being lower altitude are more full and fluffy.

Stable meaning it returns to its original state/position. Unstable meaning not returning to original state/position. Conditional stability means a state of the atmosphere that's between stability and instability.

Stable environment: air parcels sink due to colder environment

Unstable: air pressure is warmer than the surrounding area.

What is an inversion?

Which clouds are called fair weather clouds?

Cumulus. Wider less thick in vertical aspect clouds with blue skies in between lots of sky very puffy.

Which is the largest cloud? Why does it have a flat top?

Cumulonimbus clouds. Has a flat top because of the change in temperature (warmer) in the tropopause.

What is required for a thunderstorm to form?

Updrafts, air unstable and cumulus clouds will continue to grow vertically into cumulus congestus or nimbus.

Why does it rain more in Santa Cruz compared to San Jose?