Sunday, June 21, 2015

Clouds

Clouds in Florida are really cool. They help to form beautiful sunrises and stunning sunsets. 


The most common cloud along the coastal vicinity in north Florida, at least, is the Cumulonimbus calvus. Wikipedia says:"Cumulonimbus calvus is a moderately tall cumulonimbus cloud which is capable of precipitation, but has not yet reached the tropopause, which is the height of stratospheric stability where it forms into a Cumulonimbus Capillatus (fibrous-top) or cumulonimbus incus (anvil-top)."



WiseGEEK says "As the sun warms the ground, air begins to rise into the atmosphere. If enough humidity or water vapor is present, clouds can form. Cumulonimbus formation begins with smaller cumulus clouds, which do not indicate severe weather. If the rising air continues to push upward, the cumulus clouds can rise to towering cumulus, with heights of tens of thousands of feet or meters. The formation of rain drops releases heat, and enough energy can be generated to form an increasingly large cloud. When lightning begins to occur, a cumulonimbus cloud has developed, and a thunderstorm is now present. Thunderstorms can occur as a single cloud formation, often called an air mass storm or isolated cell. They can also be lined up along a frontal boundary, which is the line between a warmer, moist air mass and a colder, dry air system. These lines of storms are often called squall line storms, and can create severe weather."




Florida has regular summer afternoon storms, which tend to last only a half hour or less. They haven't hit yet (though the heat certainly has) but the clouds tell us they are on their way. 



I love watching the clouds here.


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