ATSC final questions and answers graded A+

ATSC final questions and answers graded A+ types of normal clouds convection/ cumuliform (cotton balls) & layer/stratiform (blanket) convection/ cumuliform clouds Forms when warm humid air rises through cooler surrounding air in the atmosphere. have relatively flat bases that are somewhat near to the ground form wherever the air at ground level is colder than the ground or ocean-surface hazard- there is usually an updraft that starts near ground level and extends up into the cloud and weak downdrafts layer/stratiform clouds Forms when warm air slides up along the top surface of cold air and condenses, typically occurring at warm fronts in what are the order will you see clouds? highest-lowest What is the difference between a Stratus and a Nimbostratus clouds? Nimbostratus= Precipitating, have diffuse cloud bases Stratus= not precipitating, have well defined cloud bases What are the hazards associated with Layer Clouds / Stratiform Clouds? Once inside the cloud, pilots cannot see the ground or landmarks When cold enough, ice may form along the edges of the aircraft special cloud categories 1. Clouds in Unstable Air Aloft 2. Clouds Associated with Strong Winds Across Mountains 3. Clouds Formed by Extra Heat, Updrafts, or Turbulence 4. Clouds Formed by Humans Clouds in Unstable Air Aloft Castellanus- Indicates that the atmosphere is becoming unstable Billow Clouds- Indicates wind shear and clear-air turbulence Clouds Associated with Strong Winds Across Mountains Lenticular (Mountain-Wave) Clouds- indicates vertical wind oscillations Rotor Clouds- Indicates severe turbulence at low altitudes from mountain waves Banner Clouds- Indicates strong turbulence touching the downhill side of a tall, isolated mountain peak Clouds Formed by Extra Heat, Updrafts, or Turbulence Pyrocumulus- Indicates a forest fire so strong that the heat and moisture released can make a thunderstorm in the smoke Pileus- Does not indicate anything Clouds Formed by Humans Fumulus- Looks like smoke, created from factories and towers Contrails- Indicates the turbulent wing-tip vortices behind aircrafts cloud ceiling Height above ground level of the lowest cloud base Must cover more than half of the sky How can we determine ceiling altitude? Laser ceilometers What does it mean to see the word "visibility" without any adjectives in front? Horizontal Visibility types of Visibility horizontal- How far away you can see in front of you Vertical Visibility-The limit that you can see vertically Runway Visual Range (RVR)-Indicates how far ahead a pilot