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What happens inside a cloud?
Large-scale Processes
Not all large-scale cloud systems are destructive. Large fractions of the
tropical and subtropical oceans are covered by low clouds. These clouds are
very important to the amount of energy coming into and out of the
Earth-Atmosphere system, and therefore have a strong effect on our planet's
climate. This is one reason why scientists at CMMAP are studying low clouds.
Click here
to learn more on why we study low clouds.
Low clouds form where descending warm, dry air meets cool, moist air. They are
common along the western edges of a few large continents, but especially North
America and Africa. Look at the satellite picture of clouds off the coast of
California, below, as an example. This layer of clouds is called a stratus deck.
Large-scale Processes
Not all large-scale cloud systems are destructive. Large fractions of the
tropical and subtropical oceans are covered by low clouds. These clouds are
very important to the amount of energy coming into and out of the
Earth-Atmosphere system, and therefore have a strong effect on our planet's
climate. This is one reason why scientists at CMMAP are studying low clouds.
Click here
to learn more on why we study low clouds.
Low clouds form where descending warm, dry air meets cool, moist air. They are
common along the western edges of a few large continents, but especially North
America and Africa. Look at the satellite picture of clouds off the coast of
California, below, as an example. This layer of clouds is called a stratus deck.
Wait...
aren't clouds usually associated with
rising air? What's up with these low clouds?
rising air? What's up with these low clouds?
