Earth Science Weather 1 pt. 2

• "Nimbus" is Latin for rainy
• A cloud starting with the prefix "cirro" is a high-level cloud
• A cloud starting with the prefix "alto" is a mid-level cloud
• A cloud starting with the prefix "strato" is a low-level cloud
• Clouds are classified based on form and height
• Hail comes from cumulonimbus clouds
• Orographic lifting is: when an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain ( ex: a mountain) . As the air raises it quickly cools down , which can raise the relative humidity to 100% and create clouds and, under the right conditions, precipitation
• Frontal Wedging: When a warm air mass and a cold air mass collide, you get a front(the boundary between two air masses with different temperatures and humidity)
• • AS AIR RISES, IT EXPANDS BECAUSE

  THE PRESSURE DECREASES

  • AS IT EXPANDS, IT COOLS

  • AS IT COOLS, IT BECOMES SATURATED

  BECAUSE COOLER AIR CAN NOT HOLD

  AS MUCH WATER VAPOR

  • CONDESATION OCCURS, FORMING

  CLOUDS AND EVENTUALLY

  PRECIPATATION OCCURS
• • AS AIR DESCENDS, IT COMPRESSES

  BECAUSE THE PRESSURE

  INCREASES

  • AS IT COMPRESSES, IT WARMS

  • AS IT WARMS, IT BECOMES

  LESS SATURATED BECAUSE WARMER AIR

  CAN HOLD A LOT OF WATER

  VAPOR

  • CLOUDS DISAPPEAR

  • IT IS VERY DRY AND THERE IS PRACTICALLY NO PRECIPITATION
• Localized convective heating: when unequal surface heating causes air pockets to rise due to their ability to float.
• Fog - a cloud with its base near the ground