Ask a Teacher

Search



Explain types of clouds ?
Clouds are classified into a system that uses Latin words to describe the appearance of clouds the four principal components of this classification system (Ahrens, 1994).
Latin Root        Translation        Example
cumulus          heap                      fair weather cumulus
stratus             layer                     altostratus
cirrus               curl of hair           cirrus
nimbus              rain                      cumulonimbus

High-level clouds form above 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) and since the temperatures are so cold at such high elevations, these clouds are primarily composed of ice crystals. High-level clouds are typically thin and white in appearance, but can appear in a magnificent array of colors when the sun is low on the horizon.
Mid level clouds:
The bases of mid-level clouds typically appear between 6,500 to 20,000 feet (2,000 to 6,000 meters). Because of their lower altitudes, they are composed primarily of water droplets, however, they can also be composed of ice crystals when temperatures are cold enough.

Low clouds are of mostly composed of water droplets since their bases generally lie below 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). However, when temperatures are cold enough, these clouds may also contain ice particles and snow.
Vertically Developed clouds.
Probably the most familiar of the classified clouds is the cumulus cloud. Generated most commonly through either thermal convection or frontal lifting, these clouds can grow to heights in excess of 39,000 feet (12,000 meters), releasing incredible amounts of energy through the condensation of water vapor within the cloud itself.




comments powered by Disqus