Earth Science Moisture, Clouds, Precip Chapter 15 Section 2

Clouds that are dense and billowy characterized by flat bases. Isolated or pack

What level of clouds are made up of ice crystals and are not considered precipitation makers

When the atmosphere is stable for unsaturated air, but unstable for a saturated parcel of air

These are classified on the basis of their form and height

When air descends, compresses and is warmed adiabatically making precipitation less likely 

Middle layer clouds that create a uniform sheet or veil may produce little rain, moon britespot

Responsible for producing a high proportion of precipitation in the middle latitudes

Defined as a cloud with its base at or very near the ground

Fog that is created when relatively humid air moves up a gradually sloping plain or mountain

Fogs caused when the saturation of air occurs primarily because of the addition of water vapor

High cloud type that are thin and delicate, wispy with "mares tales"

Tiny bits of particulate matter that serves as surfaces for water vapor condensation

Clouds that are sheets or layers that cover much or all of the sky no distinct individual cloud

Particles that absorb water because they are "water-seeking"

High clouds that are flat layers

When air masses flow together and result in general upward movement

As rising vapor meets cold air, it instantly recondenses and rises with air being warmed below

Fog caused by warm, moist air moving over a cool surface

This group of clouds have bases in the low level but extend up through one or more levels

This group of clouds normally have bases over 20,000 feet

Occurs when cool air acts as a barrier over which warmer, less dense air rises

This group of clouds generally occupy heights from 6,500-20,000 feet

Cloud that consist of globular individual cloud masses with flat base and cauliflower structure

Low clouds that are soft, gray in globular patches or parallel rolls or scallops

Middle layer clouds that are composed of globular masses, white to gray "sheep-back" clouds

Occurs when elevated terrains, such as mountains act as barriers to flowing air

When warm air is lifted over colder air and the cold air is near its dew point evaporation form

Low cloud whose name means-rainy cloud, dark gray chief precip producer assoc. with stable air 

High, white and thin, these clouds occur as patches or as delicate veil-like sheets or fibers

Low clouds that are a uniform layer or fog-like that cover most of the sky

This group of clouds form below 6,500 feet

high cloud type that consists of fluffy masses. Ice crystals may for ripples or "mackerel sky"

Fog that forms on cool, clear, calm nights when Earth's surface cools rapidly

Vertical devel. clouds that are towering clouds with anvil head tops. Heavy rainfall, thunder

Visible aggregates of minute droplets of water or tiny crystals of ice