The Weather Word of the Day – Cloud (Part One)
Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome! It’s your local meteorologist here to talk about the dynamic world of weather – meteorology and related fields – in this first installment of The Weather Word of the Day.
We’ll just get our feet wet for starters. Today’s weather world is a crowd favourite: CLOUD (part one).
By definition a cloud is a visible aggregate of minute water droplets or ice particles in the atmosphere above the Earth's surface.High and low clouds depicted are an indication varying thermodynamics at play. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)
On a personal note, as a young boy growing up in Scarborough Ontario, warm and humid days would give rise (weather pun intended) to some lofty and poetry-inspiring atmospheric creations. Clouds, as it were, would form and change rapidly at times spewing rain, gusty winds – and some times erupt into thunderstorms. Of course, there too, were afternoons where docile clouds would form high above revealing what seemed to be faces, birds of prey and even dinosaurs. To a young boy with a healthy imagination and love of science - these experiences, vivid and dramatic, were captivating and fascinating – setting the stage for a future career as a meteorologist.
Clouds tell us a lot about the state of our atmosphere in the present and the likely future of our local, regional and even global weather. It is the ebb and flow of water in its three states (liquid, solid – ice or ice crystals and as vapour/gas), along with atmospheric pressure (barometric), energy, and temperature flux that in a nutshell, determines how, when and where clouds will form.
In addition, the factor of time is critical too. All of the ingredients mentioned above work according to the laws of physics over time in a dimension of space – that being an area within our atmosphere. Clouds form at different heights (altitudes), too. Fog, for example forms at the surface. Cirrus clouds, are primary high level formations made up of ice crystals and can be form well over 40- thousand feet. Clouds with the prefix ‘alto’ are mid-level clouds (e.g. altocumulus). The ‘nimbo’ in nimbostratus or cumulonimbus denotes a cloud that is producing precipitation (e.g. rain).High level cirrus clouds. (Gary Archibald/ CTV News Windsor)
Clouds that produce precipitation and wind are of the most concern for people – where we live, work and play. Snow, ice pellets, graupel, rain are all forms of active weather that are produced by clouds. Moreover, systems of weather – low pressure areas are cloud-laden – with the most potent forms (on a macro scale – hurricanes or typhoons, and on a micro scale tornadoes).
There’s so much more to discuss and breakdown but I think we’re off to a great start! I’m excited to share! I hope that you are too. Get out there and photograph your weather. You can submit your images to be seen on our 6 p.m. CTV News Windsor show as our Weather Snapshot of the Day.
Stay tuned for my next installment of The Weather Word of the Day: CLOUDS (Part Two).
Until next time – take care and enjoy your weather!
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.