TAMU ATMO 201 Exam 2 Questions and
Correct Answers
Dew Ans: liquid condensation on a surface; common during cold,
calm nights; long wave cooling of air to dew point
Frost Ans: similar to dew but from deposition rather than
condensation; (vapor to ice)
Frozen Dew Ans: black ice, dew that is then frozen
Haze Ans: forms at a relative humidity <100%; when aerosols are
gyroscopic; reduction of visibility; water seeking particles that
enhance condensation
Fog Ans: cloud at ground level; (smog= smoke+fog)
Formed by cooling, evaporation, and mixing
Advection Fog Ans: warm, moist, air moves over cold surface;
winds slightly stronger so deeper fog layer; can see it roll in
Upslope Fog Ans: cooling of air as it moves upslope
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Evaporation Fog Ans: 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 Ans: 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 Ans: "layer" (flat)
cumulus Ans: "heap/pile" detached (think cauliflower)
nimbus Ans: raining
alto Ans: middle
cirrus Ans: ice
high clouds Ans: bases >7km; ice only cirrus; thin and whispy
Cirrus: thin and wispy
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cirrostratus: even thinner than cirrus and altostratus, see halo
cirrocumulus: even smaller and dinner details and structure,
smaller than altocumulus
Middle clouds Ans: 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 Ans: base<2km
stratus: forms when large layers of stable air are lifted,thick, grey,
look for texture
stratocumulus: layer cloud with same vertical development
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