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Meteorology, 2/e
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How Do Clouds Form?

Simulations

The chapter opened with a survey of the 10 cloud genera. The remainder of the chapter was devoted to a discussion of the different mechanisms leading to cloud formation and the types of clouds that result in each case. By far, the most effective mechanism of cloud formation is the adiabatic cooling of upward-moving air. Because of its preeminence, you spent considerable time studying adiabatic processes and atmospheric stability with the aid of thermodynamic diagrams. You saw that buoyant ascent of unstable air may generate clouds of vertical development, while forced lifting of stable air may produce layered clouds.

Other mechanisms play roles at certain times and places: cooling at the earth's surface causes radiation and advection fog, while the mixing of unsaturated air of different properties may contribute to the genesis of certain types of fog and layered clouds. The chapter concluded with a brief look at cloud metamorphosis from one genus to another.

Cloud Type Simulation (3231.0K)

Thermodynamic Diagram and Cloud Formation Simulation (4403.0K)

Thermodynamic Diagram Simulation (6583.0K)