Walters Wisdom Clouds and Fog: Academics

THREE Basic “cloud types”

1. Cirrus (Wispy)

2. Cumulus (Heaped-Up)

3. Stratus (Layered)

COMBINATION Cloud Types

1. Nimbus (Rain)

2. Alto (High)

3. Fracto (Describing fragmented or windlown clouds)

How to classify clouds?

By their altitude:

1. Low Clouds - 7,000ft

2. Middle Clouds - 7,000ft-20,000ft

3. High Clouds - 20,000ft

(LOW CLOUDS) Stratus Cloud

lowest cloud type; fog comes when this cloud lifts

(LOW CLOUDS) Nimbostratus Clouds

Dark, shapeless clouds; true rain clouds , often seen in summer

(LOW CLOUDS) Stratocumulus Clouds

Irregular, rounded masses spread in puffy/ rolling layers, no rain, but usually change into nimbo stratus clouds

(LOW CLOUDS) Cumulus

Dense, puffy clouds with a cauliflower appearance, (Giant cotton

(LOW CLOUDS) Thunderclouds

Reaches heights of 75,000ft; also known as cumulonimbus clouds. Very dark clouds, carry rain and destructive storms.

(MIDDLE CLOUDS) Altocumulus Clouds

Gray or whitish layers of puffy, fleecy clouds, made out of water droplets and usually change into nimbostratus clouds

(MIDDLE CLOUDS) Altostratus Clouds

• Dense sheets of gray or blue, sometimes looking like flattened vapor trails.

• Prescence means light rain within 24 hours.

(HIGH CLOUDS) Cirrus

• Thin, Wispy clouds composed mainly of ice crystals= “Mare’s Tales” when in scattered patches.

• indicates cold, clear weather.

• if in parallel lines in sky, means 36 hrs there will be a violent change in weather

(HIGH CLOUDS) Cirrostratus Clouds

• cover whole sky with filmy paste; edges have curly

• composed of ice crystals

• usually form halos around sun or moon

• indicates cool weather

(HIGH CLOUDS) Cirrocumulus Clouds

• thin, patchy clouds, often have wavelike patterns

• no shadow on Earth

• there will be precipitation

Fog

low-lying cloud that is near/touching Earth’s surface

Advection Fog

fog produced by air in motion or fog that’s formed in one place and transported by wind to another. This occurs when wind moves warm, moist air to cool, dry air, or vice versa

Steam Fog

type of AVECTION fog formed by air saturation. Occurs when cold air moves over warm water. Water evaporating from this warm surface easily saturates the cold air, thus producing steam fog. Steam fog in the North is often called “sea smoke”

Radiation Fog

caused by heat that radiates from Earth’s surface, this fog is common but usually dissipates before noon