Clouds: A Memoir

Product Information

Furthermore, since the mesosphere is exceptionally dry, ice crystals can only form in this layer of the atmosphere at temperatures that are below -184ºF (-120ºC). Now, with all that in mind, let’s focus our attention on the lowest layer of the atmosphere: the troposphere. A sort of intermediary between stratus and cumulus clouds, stratocumulus clouds are a funky type of low-level cloud. These clouds are puffy and lumpy, like cumulus clouds, but they often form into groups, waves, or lines, which give them a flatter, layered appearance, like what you’d see with a stratus cloud. The subjects of this book are the bane of astronomy. They are only ice crystals or water droplets. They have marvelous shapes and lovely forms. They are beautiful and terrifying. Dynamic swirls, fluffs. A show. A science. Never the same. They sport coming attractions. They are the clouds. But I know the people who have taught me the most about what it means to live a faith-filled life are those who live it and then wait for people to ask how.”

Billow clouds form as a result of large wind shear in part of the atmosphere. Wind shear refers to a change in either speed or direction in a parcel of air over a certain distance.

Success!

A new type of cloud that was first added to the International Cloud Atlas in 2017, the asperitas is a stunning cloud with a wavy pattern.

For lunar observers, they can, if they so desire, use this book to learn what clouds obscured the view from time to time. They could also learn why the clouds were there, why they assumed the shapes they did, and why they may have more such visitors in the sky the next night. They could also learn that earlier daytime clouds could have forecast conditions for their nighttime observing session. We discussed all of these cloud types in detail at the start of this article, so we won’t repeat ourselves here. Have you ever read a book that has deeply touched you? Clouds is a memoir by Laura Sobiech about the battle her son, Zach, fought with cancer. I’ll say it right here, I don’t think I’ve cried this much reading a book for a long time. It was a beautiful story of a young life lost too soon and a young man living life to the fullest while he can. The impact he had on so many people by remaining positive was very touching. Found only in the mesosphere at an elevation of 31 to 53 miles (50 to 85 km) above the Earth’s surface, noctilucent clouds are the world’s highest clouds. Also called polar mesospheric clouds, these clouds are comprised solely of tiny water crystals. As the air gets forced up the windward side of the mountain, it eventually rises, cools, and condenses to form a cloud—just like what we saw with the formation of clouds through surface heating and low pressure.As we’ve mentioned, cirrocumulus clouds are usually associated with calm weather. They form in a number of ways, most notably when turbulent eddies within the upper atmosphere break up a layer of cirrus clouds. 3.3 Cirrostratus (Cs) Cumulonimbus clouds can be tens of thousands of feet tall as they can have cloud bases as low as about 1,100 feet (335 m). Sometimes, these cumulonimbus clouds will grow to be so tall that their strong updrafts actually punch through into the stratosphere creating something called an overshooting top. In fact, in the Gulf of Carpentaria in Northern Australia, roll clouds are somewhat common. In this part of the world, they’re often called Morning Glory clouds and they normally happen between September and November each year. 2.5 Cap Cloud / Plieus

Floccus – Clouds that have small, puffy tufts and wispy tails. These clouds often have virga as a supplementary feature and they are found in the genera stratocumulus, altocumulus, cirrus, and cirrocumulus. In Howard’s cloud classification system, there are 10 genera that are often called the “basic cloud types.” These include: Similar to what we see in the taxonomy of animals and plants, this system uses a system of Latin names to identify clouds. With a few notable exceptions, clouds named using this system have a genus, species, and potentially a variety (sort of like a subspecies). Here’s how it works. Cloud Genera Lenticularis – Any type of wide, smooth cloud that takes on a round shape, much like the lens of a set of eyeglasses. Lenticularis or “lenticular” clouds are usually found in the genera altocumulus, cirrocumulus, and stratocumulus.

In addition to genera and species, some clouds can be further described by variety. These varieties are somewhat similar to a subspecies when classifying animals and plants. For example, you can have a cirrus fibratus radiatus cloud or an altocumulus lenticularis duplicatus cloud. High-Level Clouds – The loftiest of the clouds, high-level clouds exist between about 16,000 feet and 43,000 feet (5,000 m to 13,000 m), but they are mostly above 23,000 feet (7,000 m). Okay, you might be wondering why we just spent some time discussing all of the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere when clouds mostly happen in the troposphere.

One of our personal favorite clouds, mammatus clouds are a stunning cloud formation that you’ll sometimes see ahead of a thunderstorm.

Mamma – Forming large, udder-shaped protuberances, mamma (mammatus) are found mostly on cumulonimbus, altostratus, altocumulus, stratocumulus, cirrocumulus, and cirrus clouds. Low-Level Clouds – These clouds form between the surface and 7,000 feet (2,000 m) above the ground. With The Book of Clouds, you’ll begin to perceive the sky as you never have before. This book is filled with the type of images that inspire all. John Day is both a photographer and a scientist and he has a Ph.D. in cloud physics. He’s actually well known as “The Cloudman.” He is the one who is responsible for this book and who introduces you to the ultimate skyscape. He’s put together a dazzling portfolio of photos that capture the different varieties and formations of clouds. You’ll discover those really soft, cotton-like cumulus clouds and some really scary yet intriguing whirling funnels. This book is rated 4.5 out of five stars. Customers warn that this book is not written for children — it’s more of a textbook about clouds with a wide array of magnificent photos. One customer says that it has very high-quality production with really accurate descriptions and wondrous imagery. Another customer says that it’s an easy-to-understand book with lots of pictures and explanations that land, even though she’s not well-versed when it comes to clouds. She uses it whenever she goes cloud-watching.