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) |