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Low Level Clouds (continued)

Clouds

Beginning of Module


Created by UW-Madison, 2002
When the atmosphere has both convective and advective forces happening at the same time, stratocumulus clouds result. Stratocumulus clouds often occur in a shallow layer of unstable air near the surface that is overlain by stable air.

Stratocumulus are frequent is certain geographic regions, such as along coasts and in valleys. Cold air passing over warmer water will also produce stratocumulus. This is why this cloud is common in the winter near the Great Lakes. Stratocumulus also accompany cold fronts. When associated with a large weather system, stratocumulus are often the last cloud to appear before the skies clear.


Fog
A cloud on the ground is fog. Fog is easy to depict on visible satellite images because the land around the fog is darker and warmer while the fog is cooler and milky white. The tops of fog appears smooth in a visible image, while the edges may appear sharp as they conform to the terrain, such as mountains or river valleys.
(See image)

Visible image of river fog

Fog usually dissipates from its edges and works its way inward. This is seen in multiple, or time-lapse images as shown below.

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