Our atmosphere is filled with an invisible gas called water vapor. Most, in fact 90%, of the water that is in our atmosphere on Earth comes from the ocean. Ocean water is heated by the sun, and the warmest water evaporates into the warmest air. The warmer the air, the more water it can hold, but no matter what, there is a limit, and when the air becomes full of water vapor, the molecules change from a gas back to a liquid. This is called the saturation point. Weather changes can do much to cause the condensation of water vapor and the creation of clouds. When climate change such as a when a cold front pushes through, thunderstorms will often occur.
The dew point is the temperature that the water vapor has to reach in order to turn back into its liquid form. Condensation occurs when several molecules of water vapor attach themselves to what is called the condensation nuclei. Tiny particles of dust, salt and air pollutants act as these nuclei. When condensation is dense enough to be visible above the ground, it is called fog. Fog is actually a low lying cloud which can effect the current weather.
Cloud formation occurs when condensation happens in the atmosphere. There are high, mid and low level clouds that are made up water vapor, some of which, the higher it climbs will freeze into ice crystals. When the temperatures where the condensation is occurring is warm, or above the freezing mark, the water vapor turns to liquid.
Temperature change in the clouds will cause a change in the water vapor material and can cause an increase in condensation, an increase in vapor volume and a change back into liquid water. When the temperatures are below freezing, the water vapor may condense and become super cooled, but only change to liquid, or they may turn into ice crystals. Clouds need millions and millions of molecules of water vapor to come together so that they can form.
Air masses rise for three reasons. One, is the most visibly obvious, when an air mass meets a mountain, it is going to rise up and go over the mountain. There is actually a name for this rising air mass, orographic lifting. If the air that is moving over the mountain is moist enough, clouds will form. Two, when two fronts meet, the warmer of the two fronts will rise above the cooler front, and the moisture in the warm air will cause clouds.
The third reason air masses rise is when convection occurs. The Earth's surface is heated by the sun, the warm air rises up to their dew point and again cause clouds. Conditions are much more stable when warm air lies on top of the cooler air. The more an air mass rises, the more unstable the air is going to be. - 16759
The dew point is the temperature that the water vapor has to reach in order to turn back into its liquid form. Condensation occurs when several molecules of water vapor attach themselves to what is called the condensation nuclei. Tiny particles of dust, salt and air pollutants act as these nuclei. When condensation is dense enough to be visible above the ground, it is called fog. Fog is actually a low lying cloud which can effect the current weather.
Cloud formation occurs when condensation happens in the atmosphere. There are high, mid and low level clouds that are made up water vapor, some of which, the higher it climbs will freeze into ice crystals. When the temperatures where the condensation is occurring is warm, or above the freezing mark, the water vapor turns to liquid.
Temperature change in the clouds will cause a change in the water vapor material and can cause an increase in condensation, an increase in vapor volume and a change back into liquid water. When the temperatures are below freezing, the water vapor may condense and become super cooled, but only change to liquid, or they may turn into ice crystals. Clouds need millions and millions of molecules of water vapor to come together so that they can form.
Air masses rise for three reasons. One, is the most visibly obvious, when an air mass meets a mountain, it is going to rise up and go over the mountain. There is actually a name for this rising air mass, orographic lifting. If the air that is moving over the mountain is moist enough, clouds will form. Two, when two fronts meet, the warmer of the two fronts will rise above the cooler front, and the moisture in the warm air will cause clouds.
The third reason air masses rise is when convection occurs. The Earth's surface is heated by the sun, the warm air rises up to their dew point and again cause clouds. Conditions are much more stable when warm air lies on top of the cooler air. The more an air mass rises, the more unstable the air is going to be. - 16759
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Rob Carlton continually pens newsletters on latest developments in weather today in spain and weather forecast for alicante. You might come across his writings on brand-new weather in alicante on his site.
