Vertical Development Has Some Vertical Motion Associated

AT 351, Spring 2010 Lab #5 Clouds – 57 points

1. (5 points) Why are aerosol concentrations generally higher over land than over water?

Over land, there are many more sources of aerosols, both natural and man-made, than over the ocean. For example, industrial processes leading to combustion and gas-to- particle conversions, as well as plant particulates such as pollen, contribute signficantly to the amount of aerosols present in the atmosphere over land. Over water, the lack of industrial emissions, among others, lead to fewer sources of aerosols and thus lower aerosol concentrations over water.

2. (12 points) There were four main groups of clouds mentioned in lecture. Give an example from each category and list the characteristics associated with each.

Vertical development has some vertical motion associated. Cumulus = vertically developed (thicker),ice/water mix; cirrus = thin, ice crystals 3. (12 points) Name and describe the four types of fog:

Radiation Fog – produced by Radiational cooling on calm, clear night, allows air near surface to cool to its dewpoint temperature and become saturated.

Advection fog – occurs when warm moist air is advected over a cold surface. Surface must be cooler than the air above so that the transfer of heat from the warm, moist air will cool the air near the surface to its dewpoint and produce fog.

Upslope fog – moist air is forced over terrain (such as a mountain), the moist air rises, expands, and cools. If this air cools to its dewpoint, the air becomes saturated and fog will form.

Evaporation fog – aka mixing fog, forms by mixing two unsaturated masses of air. The evaporation that occurs due to this mixing adds water vapor to the air. If enough moisture is added, the dewpoint is raisedand the air may become saturated. Ex. Steam fog (cold air over warm water). 4. (10 points) This week, take a picture of a two types of clouds. State the type of cloud along with a description of that cloud. Things you may want to mention: What day you took the picture. Where did you see the cloud? Was there unique topography near? What was the general cloud cover like when you took the picture? You can submit the photos via email to your instructor. Make sure to label the pictures by name of cloud and a numeric designation that matches your description.

Receive pics and descriptions

5. (12 points) Label the cloud pictures using the following cloud types: cumulonimbus, ,lenticular, cirrus, mammatus,cirrocumulus, stratus

Cirrocumulus Cumulonimbus

Stratus Cirrus

Lenticular Mammatus 6. (12 points) The following two images are visible (top) and infrared (bottom) satellite imagery from the Windsor tornado of May 22, 2008. This day featured a wide variety of low and high clouds. Match the cloud types with the lettered regions in the following visible/infrared imagery.

Cumulus __D__ Stratus/Fog __C__ Cumulonimbus __A__ Cirrus __B__