The formation of clouds

The formation of clouds

• Cloud formation is associated with rising air

• Rising air cools adiabatically

• The air reaches its dewpoint

• Cloud is formed
 The formation of clouds
• The form (shape) of the cloud depends upon
the stability of the rising air

• Layer (stratiform) cloud forms in stable air

• Heaped (cumuliform) cloud forms in

unstable air
Clouds can be categorised on the
basis of the “lifting mechanism”
that is the process which causes
the air to move upwards
 The formation of clouds

There are 4 categories:

• Convection cloud
• Orographic cloud
• Turbulence cloud
• Frontal cloud
 Convection cloud
• Air is heated at the surface

• Air rises, cools adiabatically and reaches its

dewpoint

• Cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud forms

Formation of convection cloud
 Convection cloud
• Convection cloud can occur over land and
sea
• It often forms when cold air from high
latitudes is moving southwards over the
ocean
• The rising air currents are called thermals
Convection cloud
Formation of convection cloud
 Orographic cloud
• Air meets high ground

• Air rises, cools adiabatically and reaches its

dewpoint

• Cloud can be stratiform (stable air) or

cumuliform (unstable air)
Formation of orographic cloud
Formation of orographic cloud
Orographic cloud
 Orographic cloud
• The extent of the cloud depends upon the
extent of the high ground

• The height of the cloud is controlled by the

height at which it reaches its dewpoint

• Famous orographic clouds include the

tablecloth and the levanter
 Turbulence cloud
• The air is travelling across a colder surface
• The air moves upwards as part of the
turbulence
• The air cools by conduction at the surface
and adiabatically as it rises
• The cloud formed is stratus cloud
Formation of turbulence cloud
Stratus cloud
 Frontal cloud
• The warmer air rises upwards because it is
less dense
• The rising air cools adiabatically and
reaches its dewpoint
• The cloud will be Stform in stable air and
Cuform in unstable air
Formation of frontal cloud: warm front
Cirrus cloud
Nimbostratus
Formation of frontal cloud: cold front