VII. Condensation

A. Condensation Nuclei
  1. hygroscopic
  2. hydrophobic
B. Cloud formation
  1. air rises
  2. expands
  3. cools
  4. increases relative humidity
  5. reaches saturation
  6. condenses on nuclei to form tiny droplets
C. Cloud classification (Fig. 5-2; Table 5-1)
  1. shape
    1. cirrus
    2. stratus
    3. cumulus
  2. elevation
    1. high clouds
      • cirrus
      • cirrocumulus
      • cirrostratus
    2. middle clouds
      • altocumulus
      • altostratus
    3. low clouds
      • nimbostratus
      • stratocumulus
      • stratus
    4. vertical development
      • cumulus
      • cumulonimbus
    5. weird clouds
      • lenticular clouds (Fig. 5-8)
      • banner cloud
      • contrails
D. Fog
  1. radiation fog, ground fog (valley fog)
  2. advection fog
  3. steam fog
E. Dew and Frost
  1. conditions
  2. types
    1. dew
    2. frozen dew
    3. frost

Go back to Meteorology main page