Interests: Clouds
Clouds are fascinating things in my opinion. They are created by a simple mechanism, but can be quite dramatic in appearance and they have a tremendous effect on the atmosphere.
Cloud formation
Clouds are formed by water evaporating from the earth's surface. As the water vapour rises, it cools down, it condenses on small particulate matter in the air such as dust, smoke etc.. If the droplets become too heavy, they will fall as precipitation.
Clouds may also be formed when a range of hills or mountains pushes the air upwards, causing it to cool down.
There are many different types of cloud. The mains ones are described on the cloud classification page.
Cloudy pictures
Follow some of the cloudy links (see side menu), or try searching the Gallery.
Also, the Cloud Appreciation Society have a whole gallery of cloud photos.
Cloudy news
A new type of cloud
Undulatus clouds are gently rippled clouds seen on sunny days. A new name for another wavy cloud is has been proposed, which the Royal Meteorological Society are trying to make it official: asperatus, from the Latin for 'rough'.. This type of cloud could not be more different to the gentle undulatus: it has been whipped into shape by the winds and looks apocolyptic in the right light - see the last picture in the series shown by the BBC. A fantastic, dramatic cloud, if ever there was one.
