What is cloud/climatology & type of cloud – Physical Geography – Free PDF Download

Cloud

• Mass of minute water caused mainly by the adiabatic cooling of air below its dew point
• According to their height, expanse, density and or opaqueness clouds are grouped under four types

1. Cirrus
2. Cumulus
3. stratus
4. nimbus

CIRRUS CLOUDS

• Cirrus clouds are formed at high altitudes (8,000-12,000m). They are made of ice crystals.
• They are thin and detached clouds having a feathery appearance.
• They are always white.
• Hair-like clouds found at high altitudes.
• 

CUMULUS CLOUDS

• Cumulus clouds look like cotton wool.
• Formed at a height of 4,000-7,000 m.
• They exist in patches
• Can be seen scattered here and there.
• They have a flat base.
• 

STRATUS CLOUDS

• As their name implies, these are layered clouds
• Covering large portions of the sky.
• These clouds are generally formed due to loss of heat
• The mixing of air masses with different temperatures
• 

NIMBUS CLOUDS

• Nimbus clouds are black or dark grey.
• They form at of the earth. Middle or near to the surface
• These are extremely dense and opaque to the rays of the sun.
• Nimbus clouds are shapeless masses of thick vapour
• 

COMBINATION OF THESE FOUR BASIC TYPES

• High clouds — cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus;
• Middle clouds — altostratus and altocumulus;
• Low clouds — stratocumulus and nimbostratus (long duration rainfall cloud; rain bands in tropical cyclones)
• Clouds with extensive vertical development —cumulus and cumulonimbus (thunderstorm cloud)
• High – Cirrostrat Cirrus Cirrocumulus
• 

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