20.3 Clouds and Weather Phenomena

Other Weather Phenomenon

Wind Caused by differences in air pressure

The earths rotation produces a force on all bodies moving relative to the earth. The force, called the “Coriolis Effect” causes the direction of winds and ocean current to be deflected.

Other Weather Phenomenon

Clouds (3 Types) •  Stratus •  Cumulus •  Cirrus

Precipitation •  Rain •  Snow

Other Weather Phenomenon

Precipitation •  Hail •  Sleet •  Freezing Rain

Other Weather Phenomenon

Clouds

Stratus

•  Flat clouds that cover much or all of the sky. •  Nimbostratus - produces precipitation.

Stratus

•  Altostratus - mid level clouds (2000- 6000 m)

Cumulus •  Puffy, white, cotton balls, with flat bottoms. •  Fair weather clouds •  Cumulonimbus - thunderstorm clouds (dark towering

clouds that grow vertically)

Cirrus •  Thin, wispy clouds. •  High in the sky on some sunny days. •  High altitude clouds

Fronts Warm Fronts:

Occurs when warm airs overtakes a cold air mass

•  The advancing warm air rises over the cold air. •  The rising warm air produces stratus clouds

Cold Fronts:

Occurs when a cold air mass overtakes a warm air mass

•  The cold air stays low towards the ground and pushes the warm air up into the atmosphere

•  The rising warm air produces cumulous clouds

Fronts

Storms Thunderstorms Caused by air rising within a cumulonimbus cloud

Storms Tornadoes When a vertical cylinder of rotating air develops in a thunderstorm

Storms Hurricane A large tropical cyclone (caused by low pressure) with winds of at least 74 mph

Global Warming vs. Ozone Layer Thinning

•  CFC’s cause Ozone Thinning which lets to much heat in

•  Carbon Dioxide causes global warming which traps to much heat in

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)