cirrocumulus: Cirrocumulus are higher level clouds.
They are white and in the form of flat sheets but consisting of small globules.
altostratus: Altostratus are middle level clouds.
Their appearance are that of flat grey bases in the form of sheets. They are
usually difficult to photograph because of their low contrast.
altocumulus: Altocumulus are middle level clouds.
Sometimes altocumulus develop further down and appear like stratocumulus,
when in the form of globules. Sometimes they develop cumuliform tops and are
then called altocumulus castellanus. Under some conditions, altocumulus form
from wind wave motion and appear in the shape of a flying saucer or lens.
This is known as lenticular altocumulus.
wind: Wind is basically movement of air. Wind can
move in any direction, not only horizontal.
weather: Weather is the day to day changes in atmospheric
conditions. Precipitation, cloud, thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes and so
on are all part of weather.
water vapour: Water vapour is water in the form of
gas. It is invisible.
tornado: A tornado is a funnel shaped cloud that
connects cloud to the ground. It develops from the cloud and eventually reaches
the ground stirring debri and dust.
thunderstorm: A large cloud system consisting of
downdraughts and updraughts but recognised for its lightning and thunder activity.
It can produce light to heavy precipitation, namely rain and hail. The structure
and efficiency of its updraughts and downdraughts determine the life span
and severity of a thunderstorm. Severe thunderstorms can therefore produce
larger hail, strong winds, very heavy rain and sometimes even tornadoes.
thunder: Thunder is the sound created from the sudden
heating of the air caused by lightning. It can vary from a crashing bang to
a rolling sound.
temperature: Temperature is the measure of the molecular
activity of particles in a substance. In terms of air temperature, the more
heat, the faster the molecules move and hence the higher the measure of temperature.
stratus: Stratus are low clouds appearing more fragmented
and disorganised. They also appear to be fast moving.
stratocumulus: Stratocumulus are low level clouds
that look like cumulus but extend in a band. Some stratocumulus may also appear
as broken flat layers consisting of globules and therefore resemble altocumulus.
Sometimes stratocumulus develop higher up and appear like altocumulus.
sea breeze: A sea breeze is a wind that flows from
the ocean onto the land. It typically develops in the afternoon when the land
is hotter than the ocean. During the evening or night, the land normally cools
and the breeze stops.
rain: Precipitation in the form of liquid water droplets
falling from clouds. Rain can vary from light drizzle (small droplets) to
heavy rain (large droplets). Heavy rain also has a larger density of larger
water droplets.
radiation: Radiation is a way heat can transfer through
space. Heat from the sun reaches the earth through radiation.
precipitation: Precipitation consists of any forms
of atmospheric moisture which condense from water vapour. They consist of
rain, hail, snow, dew and fog.
nimbostratus: Nimbostratus are middle level clouds.
They are similar in appearance to altostratus (grey bases and relatively flat)
but they do produce precipitation. Sometimes, nimbostratus develops further
down in the levels where stratocumulus develop.
meteorology: Meteorology is the scientific study
of the physical conditions in the atmosphere to make forecasts.
meteorologist: a meteorologist is a person who studies
meteorology and is associated with making forecasts of weather for various
clients such as the public, shipping industry, agricultural industry, building
industry and so on.
lightning: Lightning is the visible electrical activity
observed in thunderstorms. It may occur in bolt to the ground or at the base
of the clouds, or sheet flashes in the clouds.
heatwave: A heat wave is an extended period of unusually
very warm to hot conditions.
hailstorm: A hailstorm is a storm that produces any
form of hail. It does not necessarily have to be severe.
hail: Frozen balls or chunks of ice falling from
clouds usually thunderstorms. Thunderstorms reaching great heights or regions
of colder air typically produce hail. Hail is largest when the updraughts
are sufficiently strong to force small hail upwards through the cloud several
times. As they do they grow larger freezing the water droplets that contact
making contact on the way up. When the updraught is not sufficiently strong
to support the weight of the grown hailstone, it falls to the ground.
frost: Frost is frozen moisture in the form of ice
crystals forming on the ground. It appears white on the grass increasing in
brightness depending on how cold it is at the ground level.
fog: Fog is cloud forming near the ground, lake or
ocean as water vapour condenses. Depending on thickness, it can reduce visibility.
ever changing: Ever changing basically refers to
and stresses the importance of different aspects of the weather constantly
changing rather than moving unchanged.
drought: A drought is an extended period of very
low rainfall based on the usual average precipitation.
dew: Dew is moisture developing at ground level.
It is mostly observed on vegetation such as grass or trees in the mornings
when the air is coolest and hence condensation can occur.
cumulus: Cumulus are low level clouds in the form
of heaped tops resembling cauliflowers.
cloud: A region of condensation in the atmosphere
making water vapour visible. Different types of clouds develop under various
conditions. Cloud is normally categorised based on height in the atmosphere:
high, middle and low clouds. Cloud can produce precipitation if conditions
are ideal.
cloud classification system: A cloud classification
system is used to categorise different types of clouds. It is mainly based
on the level clouds exist in the atmosphere.
climate: Climate is the study of atmospheric conditions
over a long period of time in a particular region. For instance, tropical
regions have hot and wet climates and deserts are associated with dry climates.
cirrus: Cirrus are higher level clouds. They are
typically bright white with various shapes. They are very thin such that the
sun can easily pentrate. They produce no precipitation.
cirrostratus: Cirrostratus are higher level clouds.
Like cirrus, they are bright white and transparent. Cirrostratus spread out
in the line of the wind. They produce no precipitation.
