GEOG 2HI3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Stratus Cloud, Cool Air, Altocumulus Cloud
Document Summary
Visible masses of expanded water droplets and ice crystals and if the concentration is large enough you see it as a cloud. Secondly, there must exist a substantive quantity of particles such as condensation (pollen, dust, etc. that acts as surfaces the water vapour can condense around) Stratus: thin and cover wide geographical area, dull, grays and featureless and foggy conditions. Horizontal in layers and form when condensation occurs at the same elevation that air stops rising (2000m) Stratocumulus: low in altitude and sheet like with some vertical structure. Soft gray, globulus masses in wave-like pattern. Altocumulus: high vertical and broad category that can be patchy, rippling waves, etc. Cirrus: high clouds made of ice crystals rather than water droplets. Thin veils, very wispy and feathery cloud. Cirrostratus: have characteristics of cirrus and stratus clouds. High clouds, veils of fused sheets of ice crystals. Cirrocumulus: high clouds that form a thin veil/puffy appearance.
