Meteorology Clouds Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Meteorology Clouds - Article Example To observe them and consider how, with each respective cloud formation, the way in which they are composed, can actually be a sign of a specific weather pattern(s) that would be coming in the near future . Starting off, in terms of the classification of cloud formations, "Clouds are classified into a system that uses Latin words to describe their appearance and the height of cloud base. This classification was developed by theEnglish chemist Luke Howard in 1803," (Gourdeau, 2003-2010). The appearance of each individual cloud would go on to provide the necessary information for weather forecasters, in terms of being able to come to a better idea, as to what type of weather may be on the horizon. The literal labels for cloud types would be as follows, "The Latin words used are: cirrus which means"curl of hair"; stratus which means "layer"; cumulus which means"heap"; and nimbus which means"rain"," (Gourdeau, 2003-2010). As a way to figure out which cloud formation would mean what, in terms of the nimbus cloud, they would be the strongest to be able to identify that they were rain clouds, in that their meaning from the Latin term, would in fact be rain. There are three type categories, where clouds fall within. Those are high level, mid level and finally, low level. The clouds found at the higher levels, would be the coldest of the three levels. Ice crystals would be expected to be a part of the composition for these clouds. The names of these clouds would be Cirrus, Cirrocumulus and lastly, Cirrostratus. In this category, the clouds that are the most common to see in the sky on any given basis would be the Cirrus clouds. Far later in the day, deep into the night, the Cirrostratus clouds are the ones that can be seen in the sky throughout, including near the moon. For the mid level clouds, they are defined in this manner, "Mid level clouds are called altostratus and altocumulus. Theprefix "alto"indicates that they have cloud bases between 2 and 6 km above the ground," (Gourdeau, 2003-2010). The types of cloud in this category would be the Altostratus and the Altocumulus. The Altostratus would show their relevance in that, with their appearance in the sky, they would act as the precursor, or warning, for an impending weather system that would be coming. Finally, for the low level clouds, these would be the types of clouds that would be more inclined to have wetter weather within them, or those that would produce the rain. In this lowest level of the atmosphere, the names of the clouds found would be Stratus, Stratocumulus and the Nimbostratus. A more common term for clouds such as Stratus, would be to know of them as the haze that drivers encounter sometimes as they are driving, also known as fog. This would occur at the base level. Once a storm has done what it set out to do, the cloud formations that witnesses would see at this point in time, would be the Stratocumulus. The clouds that would be associated with the largest variety, in terms of presence of weather, would be the Nimbostratus. Whether they are little puffs within the sky, as thin as pieces of ribbon that stretch from one side to another, or possess the image of a pronounced weather system within them, all clouds have an image that are unique to them and what they mean for those living on the land and traveling by the sea. As an individual may find the desire to look up into the sky and observe the clouds present within it, the ability to discern the