ATMO 201 EXAM 2 PRACTICE REVIEW SHEET
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
◉ Frost. Answer: similar to dew but from deposition rather than
condensation; (vapor to ice)
◉ Frozen Dew. Answer: black ice, dew that is then frozen
◉ Haze. Answer: forms at a relative humidity <100%; when aerosols
are gyroscopic; reduction of visibility; water seeking particles that
enhance condensation
◉ Fog. Answer: cloud at ground level; (smog= smoke+fog)
Formed by cooling, evaporation, and mixing
◉ Advection Fog. Answer: warm, moist, air moves over cold surface;
winds slightly stronger so deeper fog layer; can see it roll in
◉ Upslope Fog. Answer: cooling of air as it moves upslope
,◉ Evaporation Fog. Answer: cold air over warm water; water
evaporates into cooler air above it; the ending of fog occurs with
enhanced wind or sun penetrating fog and warming ground
◉ Radiation Fog. Answer: Ground fog
Clear nights
long wave radiation cooling at night (like dew) but light wind mixes
shallow layer above surface;
fog more common in winter because of longer nights; common with
strong surface inversions
◉ stratus. Answer: "layer" (flat)
◉ cumulus. Answer: "heap/pile" detached (think cauliflower)
◉ nimbus. Answer: raining
◉ alto. Answer: middle
◉ cirrus. Answer: ice
◉ high clouds. Answer: bases >7km; ice only cirrus; thin and whispy
Cirrus: thin and wispy
, cirrostratus: even thinner than cirrus and altostratus, see halo
cirrocumulus: even smaller and dinner details and structure, smaller
than altocumulus
◉ Middle clouds. Answer: bases 2-7km; generally water
altostratus: higher and thinner than stratus, look for some sunlight
altocumulus: can be cellular (but smaller cells than stratocumulus)
nimbostratus: like stratus but with rain
◉ low clouds. Answer: base<2km
stratus: forms when large layers of stable air are lifted,thick, grey,
look for texture
stratocumulus: layer cloud with same vertical development
cumulous: form from stronger updrafts in unstable or
conditionally unstable environments
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
◉ Frost. Answer: similar to dew but from deposition rather than
condensation; (vapor to ice)
◉ Frozen Dew. Answer: black ice, dew that is then frozen
◉ Haze. Answer: forms at a relative humidity <100%; when aerosols
are gyroscopic; reduction of visibility; water seeking particles that
enhance condensation
◉ Fog. Answer: cloud at ground level; (smog= smoke+fog)
Formed by cooling, evaporation, and mixing
◉ Advection Fog. Answer: warm, moist, air moves over cold surface;
winds slightly stronger so deeper fog layer; can see it roll in
◉ Upslope Fog. Answer: cooling of air as it moves upslope
,◉ Evaporation Fog. Answer: cold air over warm water; water
evaporates into cooler air above it; the ending of fog occurs with
enhanced wind or sun penetrating fog and warming ground
◉ Radiation Fog. Answer: Ground fog
Clear nights
long wave radiation cooling at night (like dew) but light wind mixes
shallow layer above surface;
fog more common in winter because of longer nights; common with
strong surface inversions
◉ stratus. Answer: "layer" (flat)
◉ cumulus. Answer: "heap/pile" detached (think cauliflower)
◉ nimbus. Answer: raining
◉ alto. Answer: middle
◉ cirrus. Answer: ice
◉ high clouds. Answer: bases >7km; ice only cirrus; thin and whispy
Cirrus: thin and wispy
, cirrostratus: even thinner than cirrus and altostratus, see halo
cirrocumulus: even smaller and dinner details and structure, smaller
than altocumulus
◉ Middle clouds. Answer: bases 2-7km; generally water
altostratus: higher and thinner than stratus, look for some sunlight
altocumulus: can be cellular (but smaller cells than stratocumulus)
nimbostratus: like stratus but with rain
◉ low clouds. Answer: base<2km
stratus: forms when large layers of stable air are lifted,thick, grey,
look for texture
stratocumulus: layer cloud with same vertical development
cumulous: form from stronger updrafts in unstable or
conditionally unstable environments
