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Clouds & Precipitation. Formation of Clouds. A cloud is composed of millions of little droplets of water (or ice crystals) There are several major processes for cloud formation. Convection & Condensation Topography Meeting of air masses. Copy to notes. Classification of Clouds.
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Formation of Clouds • A cloud is composed of millions of little droplets of water (or ice crystals) • There are several major processes for cloud formation. • Convection & Condensation • Topography • Meeting of air masses Copy to notes
Classification of Clouds Copy to notes • The prefixes denote heights: • Cirro = high clouds above 6,250 meters • Alto = mid level clouds between 1,875 - 6,250 meters • There is no prefix for low level clouds. • The suffix denotes shape: • Cirrus = curly or fibrous • Stratus = layered • Cumulus = lumpy or piled • Nimbo or nimbus is added to indicate that a cloud can produce precipitation.
Cloud Seeding • Cloud seeding is the process of spreading either dry ice, or more commonly, silver iodide aerosols, into the upper part of clouds to try to stimulate the precipitation process and form rain. Copy to notes
Precipitation Processes • Cloud droplets form when water vapor condenses on small particles called condensation nuclei • Dust particles, salt crystals, volcanic ash, particles from combustion, etc. may act as condensation nuclei Copy to notes
What prefix denotes high clouds? Alto Cirrus Cirro Cumulus
What prefix denotes high clouds? Alto Cirrus Cirro Cumulus
What denotes that a cloud produces precipitation? Alto Cirrus Cirro Nimbus
What denotes that a cloud produces precipitation? Alto Cirrus Cirro Nimbus
What is the process called that takes liquid water to gaseous water (water vapour)? Evaporation Condensation Melting Precipitation
What is the process called that takes liquid water to gaseous water (water vapour)? Evaporation Condensation Melting Precipitation
What is the name of moisture from the atmosphere falling to the ground? Transpiration Precipitation Condensation Freezing
What is the name of moisture from the atmosphere falling to the ground? Transpiration Precipitation Condensation Freezing
Another name for the water cycle is…? Water cycle H2O cycle Hydrogen cycle Hydrologic cycle
Another name for the water cycle is…? Water cycle H2O cycle Hydrogen cycle Hydrologic cycle
Ocean water makes up what percentage of water on earth? 50% 97% 87% 99%
Ocean water makes up what percentage of water on earth? 50% 97% 87% 99%
Precipitation Processes • When the ice crystals grow large enough the force of gravity begins to pull them toward the surface of the Earth • The ice crystals, or subsequent rain drops collide as they fall, causing them to combine • This process is referred to as the collision-coalescence process Copy to notes
Virga Copy to notes Rain drops evaporate completely before reaching the surface
Acid Rain • The Acid is formed in the air from sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) which are emitted by thermal power stations, industry and motor vehicles. Copy to notes
Thunderstorms • Weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder • Cumulonimbus clouds • Thunderstorms result from the rapid upward movement of warm, moist air • There are four types of thunderstorms Copy to notes
