Water in the Atmosphere

1. Water in the Atmosphere Chapter 2.4 Pages 61-66

2. Cloud Formation 1. Air is warmed and rises • Infrared Radiation Heats Surface. • Evaporates water.

3. Cloud Formation 2. Air Expands as it rises • Air Cools at the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (Dry ALR= 10°C for every 1km)

4. Cloud Formation 3. Condensation Occurs • Must occur on condensation nuclei • Dust • Salt • Smoke

5. Cloud Formation 4. Condensation Level • The level at which condensation occurs. • Relative humidity = 100% • Temp and Dew Point are =

6. Cloud Formation 5. Cloud forms • Air now cools at the Wet ALR= 5-9°C • Cools slower because condensation releases some heat.

7. Exit Pass Describe two of the Global Winds (Where is it located, H or L pressure, direction, etc.)

8. CloudIdentification Chapter 2.4 Pages 63-66

9. Cumulus • Mean’s heap or mass, have a rounded, cotton-like appearance • Fair weather clouds • Form at altitude less than 2km • Can grow to be very tall, as high as 18km.

10. Altocumulus • Look the same as Cumulus clouds • In Italian, Alto means ‘high’ • Altomeans that they form at a higher altitude, between 2 and 6km.

11. Cumulonimbus • What does this cloud make you think of? • The suffix Nimbusmeans rain • Thunderstorm clouds, sometimes called thunderheads • Tallest clouds, they grow from cumulus clouds. Produce heavy rainfall.

12. Stratus • Stratomeans “spread out” • Stratus are flat, layered clouds • Usually cover most of the sky, creating “Overcast” days • They go ‘straight across the sky’

13. Nimbostratus • The prefix Nimbusmeans rain • When flat, layered stratus clouds thicken • Bring drizzle, rain, or snow • Accompany warm fronts.

14. Altostratus • Prefix Alto • Stratus clouds high in the atmosphere, between 2 and 6km.

15. Cirrus Clouds • Feathery “hooked” ends; wispy • Made up of ice crystals • First to arrive with a warm front.

16. Cirrocumulus • Look like cumulus clouds • High in the atmosphere, above 6km • Made of ice crystals.

17. Mammatus Clouds • Round, downward-extending protrusions. • Bag-like • Usually occurs along with some cumulonimbus clouds • May indicate very severe weather.

18. Fog • A cloud that occurs at or near the ground • Forms when the ground cools after a warm humid day • The air above the ground cools to the dew point • The sun “burns” off the fog(evaporates).

19. Exit Pass Describe two of the three major cloud types and the type of weather they are associated with.

20. Question • Explain how clouds are classified? • Use the Sky Watcher Chart to help you.

21. Quiz Main Menu • Directions: • Read each question. • Click on the letter of your choice. • If you get a question wrong, the button will turn red. Try again. • If you get the question right, move on to the next question by clicking the arrow. • Click the arrow to the right to begin.

22. Quiz 1. These clouds cover the sky and bring rain, snow or sleet. A Stratus B Cirrus C Cumulus D Nimbostratus

23. Quiz 2. What type of cloud is feathery or wispy? A Cirrus B Stratus C Cumulus D Nimbus

24. Quiz 3. What type of cloud means “heap” or “pile”? A Stratus B Cirrus C Cumulus D Mammatus

25. Quiz 4. Identify this cloud that occurs on the ground. A Cirrus B Cumulus C Stratus D Fog

26. Quiz 5. Identify this Cloud: A Cirrus B Mammatus C Cumulus D Cumulonimbus

27. Great Job! Main Menu • Congratulations on being able to correctly identify the types of clouds! You are on your way to becoming a meteorologist. Keep up the great work! • Read pages 63-66