Clouds

the Earth’s surface is called
CLOUD
Cloud formation occurs as result of

is a source of water to evaporate.

clouds
Stratiform clouds

clouds
Stratus, Stratocumulus

Middle level clouds
Altostratus
Altocumulus



Upper level clouds
Cirrus

Cirrostratus
Chimney clouds
Cumulonimbus
Cumulus congestus
Cumulus humbles

both middle and low level cloud.
Usually, it appears in combination

condensation level (Zk) practically coincides with cloud bottoms, zero isotherm

0°C

adiabatic ascent

Using Clausius Clapeyron equation

the conditions typical for the atmosphere in the extratropical latitudes,

h. m.

m

An example

m

h. m.

cloud
0°C

heat, moisture etc with ambient air
Ascending cloud air is (a)

In the course of the exchange, the entrained air make the cloud air temperature lower ad drier. As result some droplets evaporate, that makes the temperature even more lower, and energy of instability decreases.

entrainment index

it as a constant.
Parameter is entrainment index
Since
only.

and 7 p.m.


Cu

Cb
Maximal development


Over planes
97% Cu
85% Cu

51% Cb
Over mountains
67% Cb
1-2

Over planes and mountains

Cb

Over planes

2-4 p.m.

Over mountains

5-7 p.m.

Maximal occurrence (48%) is in summer, 17% - in autumn, 5% - in winter, and 30 % - in spring.