How are stratiform clouds formed?
Stratiform cloud may form during a warm front passage due to the steady, continuous rain falling from nimbostratus cloud, adding substantial amounts of humidity to the air. The cloud may form ahead of the front, in the cold air mass, or behind the warm front in the warm air mass.
What do stratiform clouds indicate?
Stratiform clouds, also called stratus clouds, themselves come in four varieties: cirrostratus, altostratus, stratus and nimbostratus. Some of these stratus clouds provide a strong indication of approaching precipitation, while others produce precipitation.
What are stratiform clouds and where do they form?
They typically form when a layer of air is brought to saturation but is thermodynamically stable, or when a convective cloud meets a stable layer and spreads out in a layered fashion. Examples of stratiform clouds include nimbostratus, stratus, altostratus, cirrostratus, and cirrus.
Where are stratiform clouds located?
Indeed, we often find stratiform clouds along warm fronts. Vertical slice through a warm front, where warm air is advancing and cold air is retreating.
What is stratiform precipitation?
Stratiform clouds cover large areas but show relatively little vertical development. Stratiform precipitation, in general, is relatively continuous and uniform in intensity (i.e., steady rain versus rain showers). Stratiform Rings and Bands.
Do stratiform clouds produce rain?
Stratus means layered. Cumuliform or cumulus clouds are “puffy” and indicate instability. – Precipitating stratiform clouds produce rain or snow, while precipitating cumuliform clouds produce showers. – The prefix cirro- means high clouds.
How do stratiform and convective precipitation differ?
Precipitation is of two clearly distinguishable types—stratiform and convective. Stratiform precipitation falls from nimbostratus clouds, while convective precipitation falls from active cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds. These cloud types may occur separately or entangled with each other in the same cloud complex.
What are the 3 types precipitation?
The most common types of precipitation are rain, hail, and snow.
Do stratiform clouds have turbulence?
Precipitation from stratiform clouds is usually steady as illustrated in figure 67 and there is little or no turbulence.
What are two aviation hazards that can be associated with stratiform precipitation?
Hazards associated with stratiform precipitation include possible widespread icing above the freezing level, low ceilings and reduced visibilities.
What are the 5 main types of precipitation?
The different types of precipitation are:
- Rain. Most commonly observed, drops larger than drizzle (0.02 inch / 0.5 mm or more) are considered rain.
- Drizzle. Fairly uniform precipitation composed exclusively of fine drops very close together.
- Ice Pellets (Sleet)
- Hail.
- Small Hail (Snow Pellets)
- Snow.
- Snow Grains.
- Ice Crystals.
What are the 4 types of rainfall?
Types of Rainfall
- Convectional rainfall.
- Orographic or relief rainfall.
- Cyclonic or frontal rainfall.