Transcript Cloud Slides

CIRRUS (high)
Cirrus (Ci) – high, thin, wispy clouds blown by winds
They form long streamers called “mares’ tails”
They look like a white feathery patch with a tail
(Associated with fair weather, pleasant weather)
CIRROSTRATUS (high)
Cirrostratus (Cs)
Thin sheetlike, glary white, blue sky between
Ice crystals in these clouds refract light
Often produce a halo
Form a head of an advancing storm
CIRROCUMULUS (high)
Cirrocumulus (Cc)
Small, rounded, white puffs, have rippling appearance
Occur in individually or long rows w/ blue sky around
Resemble scales of a fish “mackerel sky”
ALTOCUMULUS (middle)
Altocumulus (Ac)
Gray, puffy masses rolled out in waves or bands
“Little Castles” rising air (Large scales or ripples)
warm, humid morning-thunderstorms in the afternoon
ALTOSTRATUS (middle)
Altostratus (As)
Gray, blue-gray, cover whole sky
Sun or moon may be seen as a round disk “watery sun”
Form a head of storm and have continue precipitation
STRATUS (low)
Stratus (St)
Fog (not quite reaching ground)
Little to light precipitation
any fog is considered a low lying stratus cloud
NIMBOSTRATUS (LOW/RAIN)
Nimbostratus (Ns)
Very dark, covering entire sky
Poor visibility with light to moderate precipitation
STRATOCUMULUS (low)
Stratocumulus (Sc)
low, lumpy, appear in rows, patches, or puffy masses
seen near sunset, dark bottoms with blue around them
rarely rain or snow
CUMULUS (vert. developing)
Cumulus (Cu)
White random puffs (like floating cotton)
Rising air forming towers
Humid day (can be sunny)
CUMULONIMBUS
Cumulonimbus (Cb)
Cumulus that continues growth upward (base to top can extend up to 39,000 ft)
Thick w/ flat top (anvil shaped) looks like an explosion
Storm cloud that can contain all forms of precipitation (lightning/thunderstorms,
tornadoes)