ATM OCN (Meteorology) 100

CLOUD OBSERVATIONS & CLASSIFICATION

Summer 2000

Lecture #9 Scheduled for:

26 JUN 2000 (M)

Recommended Readings from Moran and Morgan (1997):

pages 164-175.

Today's Lecture Objectives:

• To describe cloud cover using standard meteorological convention.
• To distinguish between warm clouds and cold clouds in both composition and appearance.
• To discuss the basis and criteria for the classification of clouds.
• To identify the ten major cloud types using the conventional terminology based upon their appearance (form) and height .

Outline:

A. INTRODUCTION

• What can be learned from clouds?
• How are clouds classified?

B. OBSERVATIONAL MEASUREMENTS OF CLOUDS

• Cloud Amount or Sky Cover
• Cloud Heights and Ceilings

C. CLOUD TYPES - CLOUD CLASSIFICATION SCHEME

• Historical
• Basis for Modern Traditional Cloud Classification Scheme
• The Nature of Cloud Types
• Stratiform clouds
• Cumuliform clouds
• Identification Aids
• Specific Cloud Types

D. THE GALLERY OF CLOUD TYPES

• Layer (Stratiform) Clouds
• High Level
• Cirrus, Cirrostratus, Cirrocumulus
• Mid Level
• Altocumulus, Altostratus
• Low Level
• Stratus, Nimbostratus
• Vertically Developed (Cumuliform) Clouds
• Cumulus, Cumulonimbus
• Other Special and Interesting Clouds
• Cumulus Congestus
• Mamma
• Wave (lenticular) Clouds
• Contrails
• Fog Tyoes
• Radiation Fog
• Advection Fog
• Steam Fog

D. CLOUD CLIMATOLOGY

• Geographical variation of clouds
• Seasonal variation of clouds

Links to Other References:

• The cloud type module from Weather World 2010 (Univ. of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign)
• Plymouth State College (PSU) Meteorology Program Cloud Boutique
• Observing clouds - Instructional Materials for grades K-5 from Athena