Stability and Cloud formation
 

Adiabatic processes:(assumes no air mixing)  air rises, expands, cools, relative humidity increases, maybe condensation

Causes of uplift and Cloud Development

surface heating and convection: thermal (heat bubble) rises, expands, cools, condenses, forms cumulus cloud (down at edges forms empty space between clouds), base is condensation level

orographic lifting: rain shadow, lenticular clouds

convergence of air

frontal lifting

Explain the adiabatic cooling process. How does this lead to cloud formation?

Describe the four main ways of causing the initial uplift of air masses. What type of clouds are associated with surface heating and convection? What type of clouds are associated with orographic lifting? Why do cumulonimbus clouds often have a flat top at the base of the stratosphere?

 
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