Condensation and Cloud Formation

Determines to a large degree
Type of clouds that develop
Intensity of the precipitation

Condensation  
Water vapor in the air changes to a liquid and forms dew, fog, or clouds
Water vapor requires a surface to condense on
Possible condensation surfaces on the ground can be the grass, a car window, etc.
Possible condensation surfaces in the atmosphere are called condensation nuclei
Dust, smoke, etc
Ocean salt crystals which serve as hygroscopic (“water-seeking”) nuclei

Clouds  
Made of millions and millions of
Minute water droplets, or
Tiny crystals of ice
Classification based on
Form (three basic forms)
Cirrus – high, white, thin
Cumulus – globular cloud masses often associated with fair weather
Stratus – sheets or layers that cover much of the sky

Classification based on
Height
High clouds –  above 6000 meters
Types include cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus
Middle clouds – 2000 to 6000 meters
Types include altostratus and altocumulus
Low clouds – below 2000 meters
Types include stratus, stratocumulus, and nimbostratus (nimbus means “rainy”)

Classification based on
Height
Clouds of vertical development
From low to high altitudes
Called cumulonimbus
Often produce rain showers and thunderstorms