GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 1 Ntmosphere

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&ORXG3URWRFROV
Purpose
lo obscrvc tlc typc +no covcr ol clouos incluo-
ing contr+ils
Overview
Stuocnts obscrvc wlicl ol tcn typcs ol clouos
+no low m+ny ol tlrcc typcs ol contr+ils +rc
visiblc +no low mucl ol tlc sky is covcrco by
clouos (otlcr tl+n contr+ils) +no low mucl is
covcrco by contr+ils.
Student Outcomes
Stuocnts lc+rn low to m+kc cstim+tcs lrom
obscrv+tions +no low to c+tcgorizc spccinc
clouos lollowing gcncr+l ocscriptions lor tlc
c+tcgorics.
Stuocnts lc+rn tlc mctcorologic+l conccpts
ol clouo lciglts, typcs, +no clouo covcr +no
lc+rn tlc tcn b+sic clouo typcs.
Science Concepts
Lar|| ari Spa.c S.:cr.c
\c+tlcr c+n bc ocscribco by u+lit+tivc
obscrv+tions.
\c+tlcr cl+ngcs lrom o+y to o+y +no
ovcr tlc sc+sons.
\c+tlcr v+rics on loc+l, rcgion+l, +no
glob+l sp+ti+l sc+lcs.
Clouos lorm by conocns+tion ol w+tcr
v+por in tlc +tmosplcrc.
Clouos +llcct wc+tlcr +no clim+tc.
llc +tmosplcrc l+s oillcrcnt propcrtics
+t oillcrcnt +ltituocs.
\+tcr v+por is +ooco to tlc +tmosplcrc
by cv+por+tion lrom l+rtls surl+cc +no
tr+nspir+tion lrom pl+nts.
P|ys:.ai S.:cr.c
\+tcri+ls cxist in oillcrcnt st+tcs - solio,
liuio, +no g+s.
Gc.grap|y
llc n+turc +no cxtcnt ol clouo covcr
+llccts tlc cl+r+ctcristics ol tlc
plysic+l gcogr+plic systcm.
Scientifc Inquiry Abilities
Lsc + Clouo Cl+rt to cl+ssily clouo typcs.
lstim+tc clouo covcr.
Iocntily +nswcr+blc ucstions.
lcsign +no conouct scicntinc
invcstig+tions.
Lsc +ppropri+tc m+tlcm+tics to +n+lyzc
o+t+.
lcvclop ocscriptions +no prcoictions
using cviocncc.
lccognizc +no +n+lyzc +ltcrn+tivc
cxpl+n+tions.
Communic+tc proccourcs, ocscriptions,
+no prcoictions.
Time
1J minutcs
Level
All
Frequency
l+ily witlin onc lour ol loc+l sol+r noon
In support ol ozonc +no +crosol mc+surc-
mcnts
At tlc timc ol + s+tcllitc ovcrp+ss
Aooition+l timcs +rc wclcomc.
Materials and Tools
A|m.sp|crc !rvcs|:ga|:.r Da|a S|cc| or
Ci.ui Da|a S|cc|
GlO0l Clouo Cl+rt
tcscrv:rg Ci.ui !ypc (in tlc Appcri:x)
Prerequisites
Nonc
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 2 Ntmosphere

Cloud Protocols -
Introduct|on
Clouds and the Atmosphere
\+tcr in tlc cnvironmcnt c+n bc + solio (icc +no
snow), + liuio, or + g+s (w+tcr v+por). As w+tcr
movcs lrom pl+cc to pl+cc it c+n mclt, lrcczc,
cv+por+tc, or conocnsc. llcsc cl+ngcs l+ppcn +s
tlc w+tcr is w+rmco or coolco.
\+tcr in tlc +tmosplcrc cxists in +ll tlrcc pl+scs
(solio, liuio, g+s) +no cl+ngcs pl+sc ocpcnoing
on tcmpcr+turc +no prcssurc. likc most otlcr
g+scs tl+t m+kc up tlc +tmosplcrc, w+tcr v+por is
invisiblc to tlc lum+n cyc. lowcvcr, unlikc most
otlcr g+scs in our +tmosplcrc, unocr tlc riglt
conoitions w+tcr v+por c+n cl+ngc lrom + g+s into
solio p+rticlcs or liuio orops. Il tcmpcr+turcs +rc
+bovc lrcczing, tlc w+tcr v+por will conocnsc into
w+tcr oroplcts. Il tcmpcr+turcs +rc bclow lrcczing,
+s tlcy +lw+ys +rc ligl in tlc +tmosplcrc, tiny icc
cryst+ls m+y lorm instc+o. \lcn + l+rgc numbcr
ol w+tcr oroplcts or icc cryst+ls +rc prcscnt, tlcy
block liglt cnougl lor us to scc tlcm - tlcy lorm
clouos. So, clouos tcll us somctling +bout +ir
tcmpcr+turc +no w+tcr up in tlc sky. llcy +lso
+llcct tlc +mount ol sunliglt rc+cling tlc grouno
+no low l+r wc c+n scc.
In tlc troposplcrc, tlc lowcst p+rt ol tlc +tmo-
splcrc, tcmpcr+turc occrc+scs witl incrc+sing
+ltituoc. As icc cryst+ls lorm +t ligl +ltituocs, tlcy
+rc oltcn blown +w+y lrom tlc rcgion wlcrc tlcy
lormco by tlc strong winos ol tlc jct strc+ms.
llrougl tlis proccss ol lorm+tion +no movcmcnt
icc cryst+ls oltcn mcrgc into l+rgcr cryst+ls +no tlcn
bcgin to l+ll. llcsc l+lling or winoblown cryst+ls
crc+tc strc+ks, wlicl wc scc +s wispy clouos. llcsc
strc+ks +rc oltcn curvco by tlc wino, wlicl c+n
blow +t oillcrcnt vclocitics +t oillcrcnt +ltituocs.
Otlcr typcs ol clouos +rc blown +bout by tlc wino,
too. Lpor+lts lclp lorm towcring clouos; oown-
or+lts tcno to crc+tc clc+r sp+ccs bctwccn clouos.
lorizont+l winos movc clouos lrom pl+cc to pl+cc.
Clouos tl+t lorm ovcr l+kcs +no occ+ns +rc blown
ovcr tlc orycr l+no, bringing prccipit+tion. Strong
winos ligl in tlc +tmosplcrc somctimcs blow tlc
tops oll clouos crc+ting +nvil sl+pcs or c+rrying
icc cryst+ls l+r oownwino to clc+r +rc+s.
Icc cryst+ls +no w+tcr orops sc+ttcr liglt oillcr-
cntly. llick clouos +bsorb morc sunliglt tl+n
tlin oncs. llc typcs ol clouos, pl+scs ol w+tcr,
+no +mount ol clouos, icc, +no w+tcr orops +ll +l-
lcct tlc +mount ol sunliglt tl+t comcs tlrougl
tlc +tmosplcrc to w+rm l+rtls surl+cc. Clouos
+lso +llcct low c+sily lc+t lrom tlc surl+cc c+n
csc+pc tlrougl tlc +tmosplcrc b+ck to sp+cc.
0y obscrving clouos, wc c+n gct inlorm+tion
+bout tcmpcr+turc, moisturc, +no wino conoi-
tions in oillcrcnt pl+ccs in tlc +tmosplcrc. llis
inlorm+tion lclps in prcoicting tlc wc+tlcr.
Obscrv+tions ol clouos +lso lclp us know low
mucl sunliglt is rc+cling tlc grouno +no
low c+sily lc+t lrom tlc grouno +no lowcr
+tmosplcrc c+n csc+pc, +no tlis inlorm+tion is
import+nt in unocrst+noing clim+tc.
Clouds and Weather
\licl typcs ol clouos you scc oltcn ocpcnos on
tlc wc+tlcr conoitions you +rc cxpcricncing or
will soon cxpcricncc. Somc clouos lorm only in
l+ir wc+tlcr, wlilc otlcrs bring slowcrs or tlun-
ocrstorms. llc typcs ol clouos prcscnt provioc
import+nt inlorm+tion +bout vcrtic+l movcmcnt
+t oillcrcnt lciglts in tlc +tmosplcrc. 0y p+ying
+ttcntion to tlc clouos, soon you will bc +blc to
usc clouo lorm+tion to lorcc+st tlc wc+tlcr
Clouo typcs m+y inoic+tc + trcno in tlc wc+tlcr
p+ttcrn. lor cx+mplc, +ltocumulus clouos +rc
oltcn tlc nrst inoic+tor tl+t slowcrs m+y oc-
cur l+tcr in tlc o+y. In mioolc l+tituocs, onc
c+n oltcn scc tlc +ov+ncc ol + w+rm lront by
w+tcling tlc clouo typcs cl+ngc lrom cirrus to
cirrostr+tus. l+tcr on, +s tlc lront gcts closcr, tlc
clouos tlickcn +no lowcr, bccoming +ltostr+tus.
As prccipit+tion bcgins, tlc +ltostr+tus clouos
bccomc nimbostr+tus, immcoi+tcly bclorc tlc
lront p+sscs your loc+tion.
Clouo typcs +rc +n import+nt sign ol tlc proccsscs
tl+t +rc occurring in tlc +tmosplcrc. Clouos
inoic+tc tl+t moist +ir is moving upw+ro, +no
prccipit+tion c+n only l+ppcn wlcn tlis occurs.
Clouos oltcn provioc tlc nrst sign+l tl+t b+o
wc+tlcr is coming, +ltlougl not +ll clouos +rc
+ssoci+tco witl b+o wc+tlcr.
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 3 Ntmosphere

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Clouds and Climate
Clouos pl+y + complcx rolc in clim+tc. llcy +rc tlc
sourcc ol prccipit+tion, +llcct tlc +mount ol cncrgy
lrom tlc sun tl+t rc+clcs l+rtls surl+cc, +no in-
sul+tc l+rtls surl+cc +no lowcr +tmosplcrc.
At +ny givcn timc, ovcr l+ll ol l+rtls surl+cc is
sl+oowco by clouos. Clouos rclcct somc ol tlc
sunliglt +w+y lrom l+rtl, kccping tlc pl+nct
coolcr tl+n it woulo bc otlcrwisc. At tlc s+mc
timc, clouos +bsorb somc ol tlc lc+t cncrgy
givcn oll by l+rtls surl+cc +no rclc+sc somc ol
tlis lc+t b+ck tow+ro tlc grouno, kccping l+rtls
surl+cc w+rmcr tl+n it woulo bc otlcrwisc. S+tcl-
litc mc+surcmcnts l+vc slown tl+t, on +vcr+gc,
tlc cooling cllcct ol clouos is l+rgcr tl+n tlcir
w+rming cllcct. Scicntists c+lcul+tc tl+t il clouos
ncvcr lormco in l+rtls +tmosplcrc, our pl+nct
woulo bc ovcr 2J C w+rmcr on +vcr+gc.
Conoitions on l+rtl +llcct tlc +mount +no typcs
ol clouos tl+t lorm ovcrlc+o. llis lclps to sl+pc
loc+l clim+tc. lor cx+mplc, in r+in lorcsts, tlc
trccs rclc+sc l+rgc +mounts ol w+tcr v+por. As
o+ily lc+ting c+uscs tlc +ir to risc, clouos lorm
+no intcnsc r+instorms occur. Ovcr tlrcc-u+r-
tcrs ol tlc w+tcr in tropic+l r+in lorcsts is rccyclco
in tlis w+y +no clouo covcr is +lmost complctc
lor most ol tlc yc+r. In contr+st, in + ocscrt tlcrc
is no surl+cc sourcc ol moisturc +no clc+r conoi-
tions +rc typic+l. llcsc clc+r conoitions +llow lor
morc lc+ting by sunliglt +no l+rgcr m+ximum
tcmpcr+turcs. In botl c+scs, tlc loc+l clim+tc
- prccipit+tion +no tcmpcr+turc - is tico to clouo
conoitions.
lum+n +ctivitics +lso c+n +llcct clouo conoitions.
Onc spccinc +no obvious cx+mplc is tlc lorm+tion
ol contr+ils, or conocns+tion tr+ils. llcsc +rc tlc
linc+r clouos lormco wlcn + jct +ircr+lt p+sscs
tlrougl + portion ol tlc +tmosplcrc l+ving tlc
riglt combin+tion ol moisturc +no tcmpcr+turc.
llc jct cxl+ust cont+ins somc w+tcr v+por +s
wcll +s sm+ll p+rticlcs - +crosols - tl+t provioc
conocns+tion nuclci tl+t lclp icc cryst+ls bcgin to
lorm. In somc +rc+s, jct tr+lnc is c+using + noticc-
+blc cl+ngc in clouoincss, wlicl m+y +llcct botl
wc+tlcr +no clim+tc.
low will clouo conoitions cl+ngc il l+rtls sur-
l+cc bccomcs w+rmcr on +vcr+gc` Il tlc surl+cc
w+tcr ol occ+ns +no l+kcs w+rms, morc w+tcr will
cv+por+tc. llis sloulo incrc+sc tlc tot+l +mount
ol w+tcr in tlc +tmosplcrc +no tlc +mount ol
clouo covcr, but wl+t typc ol clouos will lorm`
\ill tlc incrc+sc in clouos l+ppcn mostly +t ligl
+ltituocs or low +ltituocs` Clouos +t +ll +ltituocs
rclcct sunliglt lclping to cool l+rtls surl+cc, but
ligl clouos rclc+sc lcss lc+t to sp+cc +no tlus
w+rm tlc surl+cc morc tl+n low clouos. So, tlc
cl+ngcs in surl+cc tcmpcr+turcs m+y ocpcno on
low clouo conoitions cl+ngc.
\+ny olnci+l sourccs ol wc+tlcr obscrv+tions
+rc now using +utom+tco cuipmcnt to obscrvc
clouos. llcsc +utom+tco mc+surcmcnt systcms
oo not t+kc clouo typc obscrv+tions. llis m+kcs
clouo obscrv+tions by GlO0l stuocnts +no
otlcr +m+tcur wc+tlcr obscrvcrs uniuc +s + o+t+
sourcc. Sincc 1`oJ, scicntists l+vc +lso usco s+tcl-
litcs to obscrvc clouos. llcsc obscrv+tions bcg+n
witl simplc picturcs ol clouos, but morc +ov+ncco
tcclniucs +rc +lw+ys bcing +ooco. Scicntists +rc
working to ocvclop +utom+tco mctloos to inlcr
clouo typcs lrom visiblc +no inlr+rco wc+tlcr s+t-
cllitc im+gcs. llis t+sk is l+ro, +no obscrv+tions
lrom tlc grouno +rc nccoco lor comp+rison. Con-
tr+il octcction lrom sp+cc is cspcci+lly cl+llcnging,
sincc m+ny contr+ils +rc too n+rrow to scc in s+tcl-
litc im+gcs. Accur+tc clouo typc obscrv+tions lrom
GlO0l stuocnts +rc +n import+nt sourcc ol tlcsc
grouno-b+sco obscrv+tions.
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 4 Ntmosphere

Jeacher Support
lvcry onc looks +t clouos. Clilorcn oltcn st+rc up
+no im+ginc tl+t tlcy scc tlc sl+pcs ol v+rious
objccts in tlc sky. In GlO0l, stuocnts will bc slilt-
ing wl+t tlcy look lor in tlc sky to somc spccinc,
scicntinc+lly mc+ninglul propcrtics - clouo typc
+no covcr. A grc+t l+bit to ocvclop is looking up +t
tlc sky cvcry timc you go outooors. l+y +ttcntion
to wl+t is going on in tlc +tmosplcrc. You miglt
bc surprisco +t low mucl is l+ppcning
Stuocnts t+kc clouo obscrv+tions witl tlcir cycs.
llc only cuipmcnt nccoco is tlc GlO0l Clouo
Cl+rt, so tlcsc protocols +rc c+sy to gct st+rtco,
but iocntilying clouo covcr +no clouo typcs is +
skill. Stuocnts will gct bcttcr witl pr+cticc; tlc
morc lrcucntly you +no your stuocnts t+kc
clouo obscrv+tions, tlc morc comlort+blc you
will bccomc witl tlcsc mc+surcmcnts, +no tlc
bcttcr will bc tlc u+lity ol your o+t+.
\itl tlc +ovcnt ol +utom+tco wc+tlcr st+-
tions wlicl only l+vc instrumcnts c+p+blc ol
vicwing clouos +t lciglts up to 3,JJJ to -,JJJ
mctcrs, m+ny mioolc +no ligl clouos, incluoing
contr+ils, +rc no longcr obscrv+blc. llc GlO0l
clouo obscrv+tions will provioc + usclul o+t+ sct,
continuing visu+l obscrv+tions tl+t l+vc bccn
collcctco lor ovcr 1JJ yc+rs tl+t +rc now bcing
rcpl+cco witl +utom+tco obscrv+tions.
Gooo ucstions to lclp stuocnts st+rt octcrmin-
ing tlc bcst pl+cc to t+kc tlcir mc+surcmcnts
woulo bc:
\|crc .r ||c s.|..i gr.uris w.uii y.u scc ||c
m.s| .i.uis` \|crc w.uii y.u scc ||c icas|`
As you w+lk +rouno tlc sclool grounos, l+vc tlc
stuocnts or+w + m+p ol tlc +rc+. llc youngcst
stuocnts coulo just skctcl tlc m+in lc+turcs,
sucl +s tlc sclool builoing(s), p+rking lots, pl+y-
grounos, ctc. Olocr stuocnts sloulo nll in morc
oct+il, sucl +s wl+t tlc pl+ygrouno surl+cc is
(c.g. p+vco, gr+ssy, or b+rc grouno). l+vc tlcm
notc +ny strc+ms or ponos +no inoic+tc +rc+s
ol trccs. llcy coulo mc+surc low mucl ol tlc
sky is lioocn by builoings +no trccs using tlc
clinomctcr +no tcclniucs givcn in D..umcr|-
:rg 1.ur A|m.sp|crc S|uiy S:|c. llc go+l is to
l+vc + or+wing ol tlc sclool grounos so tl+t
stuocnts unocrst+no wly tlc sitc lor clouo ob-
scrv+tions w+s closcn. l+cl yc+r, tlc ncw cl+ss
ol stuocnts c+n rcpc+t tlis m+pping to g+in tlis
unocrst+noing.
Measurement Hints
Cloud Cover
Clouo covcr is + subjcctivc cstim+tc, but +n im-
port+nt scicntinc onc. \ctcorologists +no clim+tc
scicntists must l+vc +ccur+tc clouo covcr obscrv+-
tions to corrcctly +ccount lor tlc +mount ol sol+r
r+oi+tion wlicl is rclcctco or +bsorbco bclorc
sunliglt rc+clcs l+rtls surl+cc, +no tlc +mount
ol r+oi+tion coming up lrom l+rtls surl+cc +no
lowcr +tmosplcrc wlicl is rclcctco or +bsorbco
bclorc it c+n csc+pc to sp+cc.
As tlc lc+rning Activity Ls|:ma|:rg Ci.ui C.vcr
m+kcs clc+r, tlc lum+n cyc tcnos to ovcrcs-
tim+tc tlc pcrccnt+gc ol tlc sky covcrco by
clouos. l+ving stuocnts oo tlis +ctivity is tlc
bcst nrst stcp to t+king +ccur+tc mc+surcmcnts.
llc otlcr kcy to +ccur+cy lor clouo covcr is to
l+vc stuocnts obscrvc tlc cntirc sky tl+t is vis-
iblc lrom your Atmosplcrc Stuoy Sitc.
Oncc stuocnts bcgin to t+kc clouo covcr ob-
scrv+tions, it is import+nt tl+t tlc obscrv+tions
bc oonc by sm+ll groups in wlicl + conscn-
sus c+n bc +clicvco. Onc usclul w+y to oo
tlc obscrv+tion is to oivioc tlc sky into lour
u+or+nts, cstim+tc tlc lr+ction+l covcr+gc in
c+cl u+or+nt, +no tlcn nno tlc +vcr+gc. llis
c+n bc oonc using occim+l v+lucs, or lr+ctions,
ocpcnoing on stuocnts m+tlcm+tic+l +bilitics.
llc biggcst oiscrcp+ncics will usu+lly occur
lor borocrlinc situ+tions, wlcrc onc c+tcgory
is closc to +notlcr. Clouo covcr c+tcgorics +rc
givcn in l+blc Al-Cl-1.
As stuocnts bccomc morc cxpcrt in tlis mc+surc-
mcnt, tlcy will bcgin to rc+lizc tl+t clouos +rc
tlrcc oimcnsion+l +no l+vc tlickncss. As onc
looks tow+ro tlc lorizon, tlc sky c+n +ppc+r to
bc morc clouo covcrco tl+n it rc+lly is bcc+usc tlc
sp+ccs bctwccn clouos +rc lioocn lrom vicw. llis
cllcct is morc pronouncco lor low clouos tl+n lor
mioolc +no ligl clouos (tlcsc c+tcgorics +rc ois-
cussco unocr Ci.ui !ypc). It is +lso morc ol +n issuc
lor cumulus clouos tl+n lor str+tus clouos. Il wlcn
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 5 Ntmosphere

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Table AT-CL-1
Peicenfage If Iess fhan If gieafei fhan oi equaI fo
1J Clc+r Isol+tco
2 Isol+tco Sc+ttcrco
J Sc+ttcrco 0rokcn
`J 0rokcn Ovcrc+st
looking oircctly ovcrlc+o stuocnts scc + p+ttcrn
ol clouo covcr witl inoiviou+l pulls or long rolls
ol clouo scp+r+tco by clc+r +rc+s, +no tlc gcncr+l
+ppc+r+ncc ol tlc clouos is simil+r looking tow+ro
tlc lorizon, it is rc+son+blc to inlcr tl+t tlcrc +rc
sp+ccs bctwccn tlcsc clouos +s wcll +no tlc clouo
covcr is not 1JJ tow+ro tlc lorizon.
llis protocol incluocs + c+tcgory ol No Clouos
wlicl sloulo bc rcportco wlcncvcr tlcrc
+rc no clouos visiblc in tlc sky +no + c+tcgory
Obscurco Sky. llis conoition is to bc rcportco
wlcn wc+tlcr plcnomcn+ rcstrict tlc obscrvcrs
+bility to clc+rly scc +no iocntily tlc clouos
+no contr+ils in tlc sky. llcrc +rc tcn possiblc
rcport+blc obscur+tions. Il your stuocnts l+vc
oilnculty sccing tlc clouos +no contr+ils in morc
tl+n onc-u+rtcr ol tlc sky, tlcy will not rcport
clouo or contr+il covcr using onc ol tlc norm+l
c+tcgorics, r+tlcr, tlcy sloulo rcport tl+t tlc sky
is Obscurco, +no tlcn rcport onc (or morc) ol tlc
obscuring plcnomcn+ tl+t +rc rcsponsiblc lor
tlc limitco visibility ol tlc sky. \ct+o+t+ sloulo
bc rcportco lor clouo +no contr+il covcr lor tlc
p+rt ol tlc sky tl+t is visiblc il tlc sky is only
p+rti+lly obscurco. llc obscuring plcnomcn+
+rc ocnnco bclow.
- Fog
log is + collcction ol sm+ll w+tcr oroplcts
wlicl is b+sco +t tlc grouno, +no rcstricts
visibility +long tlc grouno +no +bovc
it. Str+tus clouos +rc oltcn +ssoci+tco
witl log. In co+st+l +rc+s, mount+ins,
+no v+llcys, log m+y bc prcv+lcnt ouring
tlc mioo+y GlO0l obscrv+tions. llis
c+tcgory will incluoc icc log or oi+mono
oust wlicl is prcv+lcnt in clouo-lrcc
wc+tlcr +t ligl l+tituocs.
- Smoke
Smokc p+rticlcs, lrom lorcst nrcs or otlcr
sourccs, oltcn scvcrcly rcstrict visibility
+long +no +bovc tlc grouno. Il smokc is
prcscnt, tlcrc will bc + oistinct ooor ol
smokc, oistinguisling it lrom l+zc or log.
- Haze
l+zc is c+usco by + collcction ol vcry
sm+ll w+tcr oroplcts, or +crosols (wlicl
m+y bc w+tcr oroplcts, pollut+nts or
n+tur+l oust p+rticlcs suspcnoco in tlc
+tmosplcrc), wlicl collcctivcly givc
tlc sky + rcooisl, brown, ycllowisl, or
wlitc tint. Smog woulo bc pl+cco in
tlis c+tcgory. GlO0l l+s + ncw Acr.s.is
Pr.|...i lor tc+clcrs wlo wisl to lc+rn
morc +bout l+zc +no its c+uscs. \ost
ol tlc timc mc+sur+blc l+zc is prcscnt,
clouos will still bc obscrv+blc. llis
c+tcgory is only clcckco wlcn tlc l+zc
is so cxtrcmc tl+t clouos c+nnot bc sccn.
- VoIcanic Ash
Onc ol tlc grc+tcst n+tur+l sourccs ol
+crosols in tlc +tmosplcrc occurs wlcn
+ volc+no crupts. In sucl c+scs, it is
concciv+blc tl+t sclools m+y l+vc +sl
l+lling, or otlcr rcstrictions to visibility
(pcrl+ps + plumc ovcrlc+o).
- Dusf
\ino will oltcn pick up oust (sm+ll soil
p+rticlcs - cl+y +no silt) +no tr+nsport
tlcm tlous+nos ol kilomctcrs. Il tlc sky
c+nnot bc oisccrnco bcc+usc ol oust
l+lling or blowing, plc+sc rcport tlis
c+tcgory. Scvcrc ouststorms m+y rcstrict
visibility +t somc loc+tions, +no tlcy
woulo bc rcportco in tlis c+tcgory +s
wcll, lor cx+mplc, il stuocnts c+nnot go
outooors bcc+usc ol + scvcrc ouststorm,
tlc sky woulo bc rcportco +s obscurco
+no oust woulo bc tlc rc+son.
- Sand
0lowing or suspcnoco s+no, or
s+nostorms, gcncr+lly rcuirc strongcr
winos tl+n oust cvcnts, but tlcy c+n
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 6 Ntmosphere

m+kc it just +s oilncult lor obscrvcrs to
scc tlc sky.
- Spiay - (+lso c+llco sc+ spr+y)
Nc+r l+rgc booics ol w+tcr, strong winos
m+y suspcno orops ol w+tcr wlicl will
bc sulncicnt to rcoucc tlc visibility so
tl+t tlc sky c+nnot bc clc+rly oisccrnco.
llis c+tcgory gcncr+lly is rcstrictco to
tlc +rc+ immcoi+tcly +oj+ccnt to tlc
co+st, oncc inl+no, s+lt p+rticlcs m+y
bc suspcnoco +ltcr tlc w+tcr orops
cv+por+tc, lc+ving +crosols bclino.
- Heavy Rain
Il r+in is l+lling intcnscly +t tlc timc
ol tlc obscrv+tion, tlc sky m+y not
bc visiblc. lvcn tlougl it m+y sccm
ovcrc+st, il you c+nnot scc tlc cntirc sky,
you sloulo rcport tlc sky +s obscurco,
+no lc+vy r+in bcing tlc c+usc.
- Heavy Snow
Snow m+y +lso l+ll +t r+tcs sulncicnt to
prcvcnt tlc obscrvcrs clc+r vicw ol tlc
sky +no clouo covcr.
- BIowing Snow - In tlc cvcnt tlc wino
is blowing witl sulncicnt strcngtl to
lilt l+llcn snow oll tlc grouno, it m+y
prcvcnt obscrv+tion ol tlc sky. Il blizz+ro
conoitions +rc occurring (strong winos
+no snow is still l+lling intcnscly), botl
ol tlcsc l+st two c+tcgorics sloulo bc
rcportco.
Contrail Cover
llc s+mc tcclniuc ol oivioing tlc sky into lour
u+or+nts ocscribco +bovc lor clouo covcr c+n
+lso bc usco in tlc cstim+tc ol contr+il covcr. Onc
singlc pcrsistcnt contr+il crossing tlc sky covcrs
lcss tl+n 1 ol tlc sky (scc Ls|:ma|:rg Ci.ui C.vcr
Lcarr:rg A.|:v:|y). llcrclorc, counting contr+ils
c+n +lso bc + gooo tool in tlc cstim+tion. \lcn
tlc sky is obscurco, +s ocscribco +bovc, contr+il
covcr mc+surcmcnts c+nnot bc t+kcn.
lcmcmbcr contr+il covcr is mc+surco scp+r+tcly
lrom clouo covcr. So wlcn you cstim+tc clouo
covcr, you sloulo not incluoc contr+ils. \lcn
you obscrvc contr+ils tl+t ovcrl+p witl clouos,
you sloulo rcport tlis in tlc mct+o+t+.
Cloud Type
Clouo typc is + u+lit+tivc mc+surcmcnt. llc
GlO0l Clouo Cl+rt, tlc clouo uiz on tlc
GlO0l \cb sitc, +no otlcr clouo inlorm+tion
+tt+in+blc in tcxtbooks +no lrom onlinc sourccs
m+y bc usclul in lclping stuocnts lc+rn tlc m+ny
oillcrcnt w+ys clouos c+n +ppc+r. lowcvcr, two-
oimcnsion+l im+gcs look uitc oillcrcnt comp+rco
to +ctu+l sky obscrv+tions, wlicl +rc tlrcc-oimcn-
sion+l, +no tlcrc is no substitutc lor cxpcricncc in
t+king clouo obscrv+tions.
llc clouo typc systcm is org+nizco into 3 c+t-
cgorics ocpcnoing on tlc lciglt or +ltituoc ol
tlc b+sc ol tlc clouo. ligl clouos (cirro- or cir-
rus) +rc univcrs+lly composco ol icc cryst+ls, +no
lcncc +rc morc oclic+tc in +ppc+r+ncc. 0cc+usc
tlcy +rc l+rtlcr lrom tlc obscrvcr, tlcy will +lso
+ppc+r sm+llcr tl+n otlcr clouo typcs, in gcn-
cr+l. llc wispy tr+ils oltcn sccn in ligl clouos
+rc icc cryst+ls l+lling +no subliming (turning
lrom + solio into + g+s). Gcncr+lly, tlc sun c+n bc
sccn tlrougl ligl clouos +no tlc icc p+rticlcs in
cirrostr+tus clouos sc+ttcr tlc sunliglt to lorm +
briglt ring, c+llco + l+lo, +rouno tlc sun.
\ioolc clouos +lw+ys bcgin witl tlc prclix
ai|.- +no +rc prcoomin+ntly comprisco ol w+tcr
oroplcts. llcy m+y cont+in somc icc. Somctimcs
tlc sun c+n bc sccn tlrougl tlcsc clouos +s wcll,
but witlout + ring.
low clouos +rc closcst to tlc obscrvcr, +no tlcy
will oltcn +ppc+r to bc uitc l+rgc in comp+rison
to liglcr clouos. llcy m+y bc mucl o+rkcr, +p-
pc+ring morc gr+y tl+n ligl or mioolc clouos.
low clouos m+y cxtcno to mucl liglcr +lti-
tuocs, wlicl c+n bc sccn wlcn tlcrc +rc clc+r
g+ps bctwccn tlc clouos.
Oncc tlis b+sic oistinction is clc+r to you (ligl/
mioolc/low), tlc ncxt tling to occioc is tlc
sl+pc or lorm ol tlc clouo. Il tlc clouo lc+turc
is + l+irly unilorm l+ycr, it will bc + str+tilorm,
str+tus-typc clouo. \ost clouos tl+t l+vc sl+pc
or lorms sucl +s pulls, rolls, b+nos, or tults, +rc
cumulilorm, lrom tlc cumulus l+mily. lin+lly, il
+ clouo is prooucing prccipit+tion (wlicl tlc
obscrvcr c+n scc), it must l+vc nimbus in its
n+mc. llc wispy sl+pcs prooucco by icc clouos
+lmost +lw+ys occur +t ligl +ltituocs +no so
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 7 Ntmosphere

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tlcy +rc c+llco by tlc s+mc n+mc +s ligl clouos
- cirro- or cirrus. 0y pcrlorming tlc Ci.ui \a|.|
Lcarr:rg A.|:v:|y lrom timc to timc witl your
stuocnts, you (+no tlcy) will g+in morc conn-
ocncc in tlcir +bility to iocntily tlc clouo typcs
in + complcx sky
Contrail Type
Contr+ils gcncr+lly occur +t ligl lcvcls likc
cirro- or cirrus clouos. lowcvcr, +s lum+n-in-
oucco clouos, contr+ils +rc rcportco in + scp+r+tc
c+tcgory. llcrc +rc tlrcc typcs ol contr+ils lor
stuocnts to cl+ssily. llcsc +rc:
- S|.r|-i:vci - contr+ils tl+t ois+ppc+r
slortly +no lorm slort linc scgmcnts
in tlc sky tl+t l+oc out +s tlc oist+ncc
+w+y lrom tlc +irpl+nc tl+t crc+tco tlcm
incrc+scs.
- Pcrs:s|cr| `.r-Sprcai:rg - tlcsc
contr+ils rcm+in long +ltcr tlc +irpl+nc
tl+t m+oc tlcm l+s lclt tlc +rc+. llcy
lorm long, gcncr+lly str+iglt, lincs ol
+pproxim+tcly const+nt wiotl +cross tlc
sky. llcsc contr+ils +rc no wiocr tlcn
your inocx nngcr lclo +t +rms lcngtl.
- Pcrs:s|cr| Sprcai:rg - tlcsc contr+ils
+lso rcm+in long +ltcr tlc +irpl+nc tl+t
m+oc tlcm l+s lclt tlc +rc+. llcy lorm
long strc+ks tl+t l+vc wiocnco witl timc
sincc tlc pl+nc p+ssco. llcsc contr+ils
+rc wiocr tl+n your inocx nngcr lclo +t
+rms lcngtl. llis typc is tlc only typc
tl+t c+n currcntly bc sccn in s+tcllitc
im+gcry; +no only wlcn tlcy +rc wiocr
tl+n lour nngcrs lclo +t +rms lcngtl.
llcrclorc, noting tlc cuiv+lcnt nngcr
wiotl ol tlcsc contr+ils in tlc mct+o+t+
will bc vcry usclul lor tlc scicntists.
lclcr to tlc \cb sitc ol tlc contr+il tc+m lor +o-
oition+l picturcs ol tlc v+rious contr+il typcs.
Slort-livco contr+ils lorm wlcn tlc +ir +t tlc
clcv+tion ol tlc +irpl+nc is somcwl+t moist. lcr-
sistcnt contr+ils lorm wlcn tlc +ir +t tlc clcv+tion
ol tlc +irpl+nc is vcry moist, +no +rc morc likcly to
+llcct clim+tc tl+n slort-livco contr+ils +rc.
Student Preparation
llc cstim+tcs ol clouo typc +no clouo covcr +rc
suc,c.|:vc mc+surcmcnts, so involving scvcr+l
stuocnts in tlis t+sk is gooo. l+cl stuocnt sloulo
t+kc lis or lcr own rc+oings; tlcn, stuocnts sloulo
comc to +n +grccmcnt +s + group. lo not bc sur-
prisco il your stuocnts initi+lly l+vc oilnculty witl
tlcsc cstim+tcs. lvcn sc+sonco wc+tlcr obscrvcrs
ocb+tc wlicl typc ol clouo tlcy +rc sccing, or
cx+ctly low mucl ol tlc sky is covcrco by clouos.
As your stuocnts gct usco to tlcsc obscrv+tions,
tlcy will bcgin to rccognizc tlc subtlc oillcrcnccs
in clouo typcs.
lcrc +rc two cllcctivc w+ys to lclp tr+in your
stuocnts to t+kc tlc most +ccur+tc clouo obscr-
v+tions possiblc:
1. lr+cticc clouo typc obscrving by t+king
tlc GlO0l clouo uiz, +v+il+blc lrom
tlc lcsourcc loom ol tlc GlO0l \cb
scrvcr, or by spcnoing + lot ol timc
looking +t +no iocntilying cx+mplcs ol
tlc prcoomin+nt clouo typcs lor your
loc+tion;
2. lo tlc lollowing lc+rning Activitics lrom
tlc GlO0l A|m.sp|crc !ca.|cr`s Gu:ic
- Ls|:ma|:rg Ci.ui C.vcr
- tcscrv:rg, Dcs.r:c:rg ari !icr|:(y:rg
Ci.uis
- Ci.ui \a|.|
llcsc +ctivitics +rc ocsignco to givc stuocnts
plcnty ol opportunitics to g+in prolicicncy in
iocntilying clouo typc +no clouo covcr.
Somctimcs tlcrc m+y bc ois+grccmcnt +mong
stuocnts t+king obscrv+tions ol clouos, +no
tlc proccss ol stuocnts coming to + conscnsus
is +n import+nt p+rt ol tlc scicntinc oiscovcry
proccss. lowcvcr, it m+y bc usclul to incluoc
somc commcnt+ry in tlc \ct+o+t+ scction ol
your Da|a S|cc|.
lr+cticing simul+tions witl cl+ssm+tcs will lclp
builo stuocnts connocncc. 0c surc to l+vc tlcm
clcck tlc cntirc sky. Onc ol tlc bcst w+ys to oo
tlis is witl groups ol lour stuocnts, st+noing b+ck-
to-b+ck, onc l+cing nortl, onc c+st, onc soutl,
+no onc wcst. Now, c+cl stuocnt is rcsponsiblc
lor cstim+ting tlc +mount ol clouo lrom tlc
lorizon to oircctly ovcrlc+o in tlcir u+or+nt.
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 8 Ntmosphere

\+kc surc tlcy +rc +ll ocnning tlcir u+or+nt in
tlc s+mc w+y. Oncc c+cl stuocnt l+s +n cstim+tc
(usc 1J incrcmcnts, or lr+ctions likc cigltls or
tcntls), t+kc tlc +vcr+gc ol tlc lour cstim+tcs by
summing tlcm +no oivioing by -. llis mctloo
will bc p+rticul+rly usclul wlcn you l+vc + oil-
ncult sky tl+t lc+os to oillcrcnt cstim+tcs +mong
group mcmbcrs.
llc lollowing tip m+y lclp your stuocnts octcr-
minc tlc lciglts ol cumulus clouos. l+vc tlcm
cxtcno tlcir +rm +w+y lrom tlcir sloulocr p+r+l-
lcl to tlc grouno, +no +lign tlcir nngcrs witl tlc
clouo lc+turc tlcy +rc obscrving. A gooo rulc ol
tlumb to usc is tl+t il tlc inoiviou+l pulls, rolls,
w+vcs, ctc., ol tlc clouos +rc sm+llcr tl+n onc nn-
gcr wiotl, tlcy +rc cirrocumulus. Il tlcy +rc not
+s wioc +s two nngcrs, but wiocr tl+n onc nngcr,
it is most likcly +n +ltocumulus. Il wiocr tl+n two
nngcrs, it will bc cumulus (look lor isol+tco pulls),
str+tocumulus (clouos +rc wiocr tl+n t+ll, +no
tlcrc +rc m+ny, pcrl+ps clong+tco in b+nos),
or cumulonimbus (witl prccipit+tion).
lor oistinguisling tlc oillcrcnt lciglts ol str+tus
clouos, rcmcmbcr tlc lollowing. Cirrostr+tus is
tlc only clouo typc wlicl c+n prooucc + l+lo
+rouno tlc sun or moon. llc l+lo will l+vc +ll
tlc r+inbow colors in it. Altostr+tus will prooucc
+ tlinly vcilco sun or moon, +no will oltcn bc
o+rkcr in +ppc+r+ncc, + mcoium gr+y color.
Str+tus will usu+lly bc vcry gr+y +no oltcn vcry
low to tlc grouno. log is +ctu+lly + str+tus clouo
+t zcro +ltituoc.
lcrc +rc somc ucstions tl+t stuocnts m+y bc
tlinking +bout (or +sking) +s tlcy t+kc clouo
obscrv+tions:
\l+t kino ol sky oo I scc`
\l+t kino ol sky oo otlcr stuocnts lrom
nc+rby sclools scc`
Sloulo tlcy bc tlc s+mc`
Clouo covcr in p+rticul+r c+n bc + vcry loc+l
plcnomcnon, +no tlcrclorc clouo typc m+y
v+ry signilic+ntly lrom onc pl+cc to +notlcr
nc+rby. \lcn vicwco +s +n +ggrcg+tc lor + l+rgc
grouping ol GlO0l sclools, clouo obscrv+tions
bccomc morc usclul. Also, loc+l clouo obscr-
v+tions +rc import+nt to scvcr+l otlcr GlO0l
protocols.
Questions for Further Discussion
lo clouo p+ttcrns cl+ngc ouring tlc yc+r`
low`
locs tlc +mount ol clouo covcr +llcct tlc loc+l
tcmpcr+turc`
low rcli+blc +rc loc+l wc+tlcr lorcc+sts b+sco
on clouo typc obscrv+tions +lonc` C+n tlcy
bc improvco by using otlcr GlO0l mc+surc-
mcnts`
lo clouo conoitions +no plcnomcn+ tl+t block
our vicw ol tlc sky inlucncc tlc typcs ol vcgct+-
tion +no soil in our +rc+` Il so, low`
low oo our clouo obscrv+tions comp+rc witl
s+tcllitc im+gcs ol clouos`
Arc contr+ils oltcn sccn in tlc loc+l +rc+` \ly or
wly not`
Arc tlc typcs ol clouos +no contr+ils you obscrvc
rcl+tco`
low oo tlc clouos you scc rcl+tc to nc+rby moun-
t+ins, l+kcs, l+rgc rivcrs, b+ys, or tlc occ+n`
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 9 Ntmosphere

&ORXG&RYHUDQG&RQWUDLO&RYHU
3URWRFRO
||eld Gu|de
Task
Obscrvc low mucl ol tlc sky is covcrco by clouos +no contr+ils.
What You Need
Q A|m.sp|crc !rvcs|:ga|:.r Da|a S|cc| Ol Ci.ui Da|a S|cc| Ol tz.rc Da|a S|cc| Ol Acr.s.i Da|a S|cc|
In the Field
1. Complctc tlc top scction ol your Da|a S|cc|.
2. look +t tlc sky in cvcry oircction.
3. lstim+tc low mucl ol tlc sky is covcrco by clouos tl+t +rc not contr+ils.
-. lccoro wlicl clouo cl+ssinc+tion bcst m+tclcs wl+t you scc.
. lccoro wlicl contr+il cl+ssinc+tion bcst m+tclcs low mucl ol tlc sky is covcrco by contr+ils.
Cloud Cover Classihcations Contrail Classihcations
No CIouds None
llc sky is clouolcss; tlcrc +rc no clouos visiblc. llcrc +rc no contr+ils visiblc.
CIeai 0-10 '
Clouos +rc prcscnt but covcr lcss tl+n onc-tcntl Contr+ils +rc prcscnt but covcr lcss tl+n
(or 1J) ol tlc sky. onc-tcntl (or 1J) ol tlc sky.
IsoIafed CIouds 10-25 '
Clouos covcr bctwccn onc-tcntl (1J) Contr+ils covcr bctwccn onc-tcntl (1J)
+no onc-lourtl (2) ol tlc sky. +no onc-lourtl (2) ol tlc sky.
Scaffeied CIouds 25-50'
Clouos covcr bctwccn onc-lourtl (2) Contr+ils covcr bctwccn onc-lourtl (2)
+no onc-l+ll (J) ol tlc sky. +no onc-l+ll (J) ol tlc sky.
Bioken CIouds > 50'
Clouos covcr bctwccn onc-l+ll (J) Contr+ils covcr morc tl+n onc-l+ll (J)
+no ninc-tcntls (`J) ol tlc sky. ol tlc sky.
Oveicasf
Clouos covcr morc tl+n ninc-tcntls (`J)
ol tlc sky.
Obscuied
Clouos +no contr+ils c+nnot bc obscrvco bcc+usc morc tl+n onc-lourtl (2) ol tlc sky c+nnot bc
sccn clc+rly.
o. Il tlc sky is Obscurco, rccoro wl+t is blocking your vicw ol tlc sky. lcport +s m+ny ol tlc
lollowing +s you obscrvc.
- log - Smokc - l+zc - Volc+nic Asl - lust
- S+no - Spr+y - lc+vy l+in - lc+vy Snow - 0lowing Snow
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 10 Ntmosphere

&ORXG7\SHDQG&RQWUDLO7\SH
3URWRFRO
||eld Gu|de
Task
lo scc wlicl ol tlc tcn typcs ol clouos +no low m+ny ol c+cl ol tlc tlrcc typcs ol contr+ils +rc vis-
iblc
What You Need
Q A|m.sp|crc !rvcs|:ga|:.r Da|a S|cc| Ol Q GlO0l Clouo Cl+rt
Ci.ui Da|a S|cc| Ol
tz.rc Da|a S|cc| Ol
Acr.s.i Da|a S|cc|
Q tcscrv:rg Ci.ui !ypc (in Appcri:x)
In the Field
1. look +t +ll tlc clouos in tlc sky, look in +ll oircctions, incluoing oircctly ovcrlc+o. 0c c+rclul
not to look oircctly +t tlc sun.
2. Iocntily tlc typcs ol clouos tl+t you scc using tlc GlO0l clouo cl+rt +no tlc ocnnitions
louno in tcscrv:rg Ci.ui !ypc.
3. Clcck tlc box on your Da|a S|cc| lor c+cl +no cvcry clouo typc you scc.
-. llcrc +rc tlrcc typcs ol contr+ils. lccoro tlc numbcr
ol c+cl typc you scc.
Stratocumulus
2000 m
Cumulus Stratus
Alto Altocumulus Altostratus
Cirrocumulus Cirrostratus
Nimbostratus Cumulonimbus
6000 m
Cirrus
Contrails
Clouds
Slort-livco
lcrsistcnt Non-Sprc+oing
lcrsistcnt Sprc+oing
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 11 Ntmosphere

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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do we have fo iepoif cIoud covei
obseivafions even if fheie aie no cIouds:
It is just +s import+nt lor scicntists to know wlcn
tlcrc +rc no clouos in tlc sky +s wlcn tlcrc +rc
clouos. llc+sc +lw+ys rcport tlc clouo covcr,
cvcn on + bc+utilul o+y witl bluc sky low coulo
you +ccur+tcly c+lcul+tc +vcr+gc clouo covcr il
o+t+ wcrc +lw+ys missing lor complctcly clc+r
o+ys` Also bc +w+rc tl+t clc+r sky is tlc c+sicst
mc+surcmcnt lrom tlc grouno, but tlc l+ro-
cst to octcrminc witl connocncc lrom s+tcllitc
im+gcry.
2. Can`f an insfiumenf be designed fo measuie
cIoud covei:
Ycs, in l+ct, l+scrs +rc usco to mc+surc tlis +no
tlc instrumcnt is c+llco + ccilomctcr. Ccilomc-
tcrs mc+surc tlc portion ol tlc sky covcrco by
clouos, but tlcy +rc vcry cxpcnsivc. lurtlcr-
morc, m+ny ol tlc ccilomctcrs in usc too+y
only provioc +ccur+tc cstim+tcs ol clouo covcr
up to lciglts ol +bout 3. kilomctcrs, wlicl
m+kcs tlcm usclcss lor most mioolc clouos
+no
+ll ligl clouos. Clouo covcr is +n +ggrcg+tc ol
+ll clouos +t +ll lcvcls, +no lum+n obscrv+tions
+rc still tlc bcst w+y to mc+surc tlis lrom tlc
grouno. Also, ccilomctcrs t+kc only + singlc
point or pronlc mc+surcmcnt tl+t m+y not bc
rcprcscnt+tivc ol tlc ovcr+ll clouo covcr.
3. Is fheie any way fo make suie
fhaf oui obseivafions aie accuiafe,
since fheie is no insfiumenf fo caIibiafe:
llcsc o+t+ +rc import+nt, +no pr+cticc will lclp
you to bccomc proncicnt in cstim+ting clouo
covcr. You c+n comp+rc your own obscrv+tions
witl nc+rby nciglbors obscrv+tions, +no com-
p+rc tlcm witl olnci+l obscrv+tions, too, to
lc+rn low +ccur+tc your own obscrv+tions +rc,
but rcmcmbcr tl+t on somc o+ys tlc clouo con-
oitions will bc oillcrcnt cvcn ovcr slort oist+nccs
+no tlcy m+y cl+ngc in minutcs. Il you oo tlcm
oiligcntly cvcry o+y, you sloulo bccomc vcry
comlort+blc witl your cllorts
+. We have fioubIe hguiing ouf if we aie
coiiecf when we caII a ceifain cIoud one of fhe
fen fypes. How do we know if we aie coiiecf:
You c+nt know lor surc. llc most
import+nt tling to oo is to pr+cticc iocn-
tilying clouo typcs +s oltcn +s you c+n. Il you l+vc
+cccss to tlc \orlo \ioc \cb, you c+n t+kc tlc
Intcr+ctivc GlO0l clouo uiz, wlicl you will nno
onlinc +s p+rt ol tlc GlO0l \cb sitc. Also, you
m+y wisl to obt+in +notlcr copy ol tlc GlO0l
Clouo Cl+rt, cut it up, +no m+kc l+sl c+ros to
lclp uiz your cl+ssm+tcs.
5. Is fhis cIoud fype obseivafion sysfem in
GLOBE unique oi new in some way:
llis systcm is tlc s+mc onc tl+t mctcorolo-
gists l+vc bccn using lor two lunorco yc+rs.
\+ny scicntists rcport bccoming intcrcstco in
scicncc bcc+usc tlcy st+rtco to obscrvc tlc sky
+no notc low it w+s oillcrcnt (in tcrms ol clouo
typcs) lrom onc o+y to +notlcr. llc scicntinc
b+sis ol tlis clouo typc obscrving systcm l+s not
cl+ngco subst+nti+lly sincc it w+s nrst ocvisco.
llc systcm+tic brc+koown ol clouos into tcn
b+sic typcs w+s motiv+tco, +t lc+st in p+rt, by
tlc cl+ssinc+tion ol spccics ol living tlings into
tlc Anim+l +no ll+nt lingooms by biologists.
In l+ct, mctcorologists oltcn lurtlcr oivioc tlc
clouo typcs into otlcr spccinc v+ri+tions witlin
c+cl clouo typc. Cas|ciiarus rclcrs to c+stlc-likc
turrcts in + clouo lorm+tion, +n inoic+tor tl+t
tlc +tmosplcrc is bccoming unst+blc, pcrl+ps
lorctclling prccipit+tion. Lcr|:.uiar:s mc+ns
lcns-sl+pco, + clouo oltcn lormco ovcr ligl
mount+ins. Ano cumulus +rc oltcn scp+r+tco
into |um:i:s (l+ir wc+tlcr, pully) or ..rgcs|us
(towcring, lc+pco likc c+ulilowcr, vcry t+ll).
6. Whaf do I iepoif if onIy paif of fhe sky is
obscuied, buf I can defeimine cIoud fypes foi
paif of fhe sky:
Il morc tl+n onc-u+rtcr ol tlc tot+l sky is ob-
scurco, rcport obscurco, +no rcport tlc clouo
typcs tl+t you scc in mct+o+t+. Il lcss tl+n
onc-u+rtcr ol tlc tot+l sky is obscurco, rccoro
tlc clouo covcr +no clouo typcs +no st+tc in tlc
mct+o+t+ low mucl ol tlc sky is obscurco.
1. I am nof suie whefhei whaf I see is ciiius oi
oId, spieading confiaiIs:
At somc point tlc oistinction bctwccn tlc two c+n-
not bc m+oc. In tlis situ+tion, plc+sc rcport cirrus,
but +lso notc in your commcnts tl+t tlc cirrus
looks likc it m+y l+vc st+rtco lrom + contr+il.
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 12 Ntmosphere

Cloud Protocol -
Look|ng Nt \our Uata
Are the data reasonable?
Givcn tlc subjcctivc n+turc ol clouo obscrv+tions,
it c+n bc vcry oilncult to octcrminc il tlcy +rc
rc+son+blc.
llc intcrn+l consistcncy ol tlc obscrv+tions c+n
bc usco to octcrminc wlctlcr clouo typc +no
covcr o+t+ +rc rc+son+blc. lor inst+ncc, il tlcrc
is ovcrc+st clouo covcr witl str+tus, str+tocu-
mulus, or nimbostr+tus clouos, rcports ol +lto or
cirro clouo typcs woulo bc unlikcly +s obscrvcrs
on tlc grouno woulo not bc +blc to scc liglcr
+ltituoc clouos tlrougl tlc tlick lowcr clouo
covcr. Anotlcr cx+mplc woulo bc rcports ol only
cirrus clouos witl ovcrc+st skics; cirrus clouos +rc
only vcry r+rcly prcscnt in tlc +mounts nccoco
to covcr `J ol tlc sky. llc s+mc is truc lor cu-
mulus clouos +s tlcrc must bc brc+ks bctwccn
tlc clouos lor tlcm to bc cumulus (r+tlcr tl+n
str+tocumulus).
What do scientists look for in these
data?
\+ny olnci+l wc+tlcr obscrving st+tions +cross
tlc worlo l+vc cllcctivcly stoppco t+king clouo
obscrv+tions. N+tion+l mctcorologic+l org+niz+-
tions l+vc two prim+ry rc+sons lor tlis cl+ngc.
lirst, wc+tlcr s+tcllitcs +rc const+ntly monitoring
l+rtls surl+cc +no +tmosplcrc, +no wc l+vc bc-
comc mucl bcttcr +t octcrmining clouo covcr lrom
s+tcllitc picturcs in rcccnt yc+rs. Sccono, m+ny
wc+tlcr st+tions +rc t+king tlcir obscrv+tions using
+utom+tco instrumcnts. llcsc instrumcnts c+nnot
octcrminc clouo typc, +no +rc oltcn limitco in tlcir
+bility to oistinguisl mioolc +no ligl clouo l+ycrs.
llc +utom+tco instrumcnts c+n only scnsc clouos
up to +bout 3.o km in +ltituoc +no m+ny clouo
typcs +rc too ligl lor most ol tlcsc .c:i.mc|crs to
scc tlcm. So, tlcy c+n only scc l+ll ol tlc clouo
typcs (cumulus, cumulonimbus, str+tus, str+tocu-
mulus, +no nimbostr+tus).
Clouos l+vc bccn obscrvco +no +ssoci+tco witl
wc+tlcr cl+ngcs lor ccnturics; in l+ct our clouo
cl+ssinc+tion systcm is ovcr 2JJ yc+rs olo. llc
cl+ngcs tl+t you obscrvc in tlc clouos lclp mc-
tcorologists to lorcc+st tlc wc+tlcr. 0y w+tcling
+ clc+r sky cl+ngc to + sky witl isol+tco cumulus
clouos, wlicl m+y grow to sc+ttcrco cumulus +no
brokcn cumulonimbus clouos, you c+n cxpcct
tl+t tlunocrslowcrs m+y bcgin soon. \lcn +n
ovcrc+st str+tus clouo tlins out to str+tocumulus,
you miglt cxpcct clc+rcr wc+tlcr to lollow. Cli-
m+tc scicntists likc to w+tcl clouo cl+ngcs ovcr
long pcrioos ol timc, to scc il tlcrc is +n incrc+sc
or occrc+sc in clouo covcr or + cl+ngc in typc.
Sincc tlc c+rly 1`oJs, mctcorologists l+vc l+o
wc+tlcr s+tcllitc picturcs tl+t c+n bc usco to scc
clouos (gcncr+lly slown +s wlitc +rc+s on s+t-
cllitc picturcs), sucl +s ligurc Al-Cl-1, + visiblc
plotogr+pl lrom tlc NOAA 1 pol+r-orbiting
wc+tlcr s+tcllitc ol tlc Gull ol \cxico, nc+r tlc
soutlc+stcrn Lnitco St+tcs. Clouos +rc sccn ovcr
tlc w+tcrs to tlc wcst ol llorio+, in tlc 0+l+m+s
+no on tlc c+stcrn cogc ol tlc picturc, oll tlc
co+st ol Nortl C+rolin+. llc l+no +rc+s ol tlc
soutlc+stcrn Lnitco St+tcs +rc l+irly clc+r +long
tlc Atl+ntic Occ+n, but lurtlcr to tlc wcst wc
scc somc clouos tl+t +rc not +s briglt. llis tclls
mctcorologists tl+t tlcsc clouos +rc prob+bly
lowcr +no/or not +s tlick +s tlc briglt wlitc
oncs in tlis mio-+ltcrnoon picturc.
Scicntists wlo work witl s+tcllitc o+t+ ncco
gooo surl+cc obscrv+tions ol clouos to provioc
wl+t is c+llco grouno trutl lor tlcir s+tcllitc
obscrv+tions. llcsc obscrv+tions +rc import+nt
bcc+usc tlcy lclp mctcorologists to unocrst+no
Figure AT-CL-1: Satellite Image
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 13 Ntmosphere

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low +ccur+tc tlcir s+tcllitc obscrv+tions con-
tinuc to bc. In gcncr+l, tlc morc GlO0l sclools
tl+t prooucc clouo obscrv+tions, tlc bcttcr lor
scicntists wlo wisl to usc tlcsc o+t+, bcc+usc
tlcy c+n +sscss low +ccur+tc +no consistcnt tlc
obscrv+tions +rc by m+king sucl comp+risons.
S+tcllitc plotogr+pls oo not +lw+ys givc scicn-
tists + clc+r ioc+ ol wlicl clouo typcs +rc prcscnt.
llis is p+rticul+rly truc lor contr+ils, wlicl +rc
oltcn too n+rrow to bc sccn lrom sp+cc. lor tlis
rc+son, it is import+nt lor scicntists to bc +blc to
nno +rc+s ol low, mioolc, +no ligl clouos, sincc
c+cl clouo l+ycr will l+vc oillcrcnt +bilitics to
block sunliglt +no tr+p inlr+rco r+oi+tion.
lcts look +t somc m+ps to scc low wc miglt
proccco witl sucl invcstig+tions. ligurc Al-Cl-
2 slows somc clouo covcr obscrv+tions lor +
spring o+y in 2JJ1 ovcr p+rt ol tlc Lnitco St+tcs
+no C+n+o+, nc+r tlc Grc+t l+kcs. llc Grc+t
l+kcs +rc l+rgc booics ol w+tcr tl+t provioc
+mplc moisturc to tlc +tmosplcrc tlrougl
cv+por+tion. ligl lcvcls ol w+tcr v+por oltcn
lc+o to clouoy skics. llc wc+tlcr m+p lor tl+t
o+y will +lso bc usclul to unocrst+no wl+t typc
ol clouo systcms wcrc prcscnt lor tl+t o+y sincc,
in gcncr+l, +ir must bc rising to prooucc clouos
+no low prcssurc systcms +no lronts +rc tlc most
likcly +rc+s lor clouos to lorm.
Notc tlc l+rgc numbcr ol gr+y boxcs nc+r tlc
ccntcr ol tlc st+tc ol Olio in tlc m+p +bovc.
lrom tlc m+p lcgcno, wc scc tl+t tlcsc inoic+tc
+rc+s ol ovcrc+st skics. llcrc +rc + lcw st+tions
nc+rby tl+t +rc not ovcrc+st, incluoing onc
obscrv+tion ol +n obscurco sky, onc brokcn,
+no onc sc+ttcrco. lcrl+ps + storm systcm is
+llccting + l+irly l+rgc +rc+ ol nortlcrn Olio
+no wcstcrn lcnnsylv+ni+. lo tlc wcst ol tlis
+rc+, tlc obscrv+tions +rc mostly ol clc+r skics.
llc s+mc is truc on tlc l+r c+stcrn cogc ol tlc
m+p, wlcrc skics +rc +lso mostly clc+r. Notc low
simil+r tlc clouo typc obscrv+tions +rc to c+cl
otlcr witlin + rcgion.
l+cl clouo covcr obscrv+tion +lso cont+ins +
clouo typc obscrv+tion, wlcrc stuocnts iocntily
c+cl ol tlc tcn possiblc clouo typcs prcscnt.
\+king + m+p ol sucl obscrv+tions woulo bc
vcry complic+tco, sincc tlcrc +rc so m+ny pos-
siblc combin+tions. GlO0l m+ps ol clouo covcr
+rc or+wn by oivioing +ll clouo typcs into tlcir
lciglt c+tcgorics - low, mioolc, +no ligl - +no
combin+tions ol tlcsc. Scc ligurc Al-Cl-3.
lcts conccntr+tc on c+stcrn Olio oncc +g+in.
Notc tl+t +lmost +ll ol tlc obscrv+tions +rc
rco, witl + couplc ol grccn su+rcs, + couplc ol
bluc su+rcs, +no onc purplc su+rc. llc m+p
lcgcno slows tl+t rco su+rcs +rc low clouos (l),
grccn su+rcs +rc mioolc clouos (\), +no bluc
su+rcs +rc ligl clouos (l). llc purplc su+rc is
lor +n obscrv+tion ol low +no ligl clouos (l+l)
combinco. Oncc +g+in, tlc clouo obscrv+tions
+rc gcncr+lly simil+r to c+cl otlcr, witl most
GlO0l sclools rcporting tl+t low clouos wcrc
prcscnt.
Il you look to tlc c+stcrn cogc ol tlc m+p, tlcrc
+rc m+ny sclools rcporting ligl clouos, mioolc
+no ligl clouos, or low +no ligl clouos. lcrl+ps
tlcsc sclools +rc in tlc p+tl ol + storm systcm
tl+t is moving tlcir w+y lrom c+stcrn Olio.
An Example of a Student Research
Investigation
Designing an Investigation
N+t+lic l+s +lw+ys bccn intcrcstco in clouos. Slc
is +lw+ys or+wing tlcm +no m+king sl+pcs out ol
tlcm in lcr mino. N+t+lic is onc ol tlc stuocnts
in lcr cl+ss wlo voluntccrs to t+kc GlO0l Atmo-
splcrc mc+surcmcnts +no rc+lly likcs to obscrvc
tlc clouos. N+t+lic occiocs to m+kc lcr own clouo
cl+rt lor tlc cl+ss, using cotton b+lls, wlitc p+pcr,
bluc construction p+pcr, +no gluc. lcr tc+clcr
occiocs to m+kc tl+t + cl+ss projcct, +no tlcy
m+kc + bc+utilul oispl+y bo+ro witl clouo covcr
cx+mplcs on it (lrom tlc Ls|:ma|:rg Ci.ui C.vcr
Lcarr:rg A.|:v:|y), +no picturcs ol c+cl ol tlc tcn
clouo typcs.
N+t+lic wonocrs il tlc sky tl+t slc sccs is tlc
s+mc sky tl+t otlcrs scc +t nc+rby sclools. llc
cl+ss occiocs to comp+rc tlcir clouo obscrv+-
tions c+cl o+y to tlosc ol two otlcr sclools
in tlcir +rc+, +notlcr clcmcnt+ry sclool +no +
mioolc sclool. Somc ol tlc clilorcn tlink tl+t
it is + g+mc tl+t l+s to bc won by nnoing tlc
most clouo typcs, but tl+t is uickly corrcctco
by tlc tc+clcr. Slc tclls tlc stuocnts tl+t tlcy
GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 14 Ntmosphere

+rc collccting o+t+ tl+t scicntists will bc using
in rcsc+rcl work, +no tl+t it is import+nt tl+t
tlcy oo tlis job wcll. It oocs not t+kc long lor
tlc stuocnts to +ll pitcl in +no oo + gooo job
collccting tlcir obscrv+tions.
Collecting and Analyzing Data
Altcr tlcy l+vc m+oc tlcir clouo obscrv+tions lor
+bout tlrcc wccks, tlc stuocnts usc tlc GlO0l
visu+liz+tion tool to nno otlcr nc+rby sclools
witl m+ny clouo obscrv+tions. llcy occioc to
limit tlcir sc+rcl to sclools witlin J km ol tlcir
sclool +no tlcy nno 7 otlcr sclools. Onc ol tlc
stuocnts l+s + big sistcr tl+t gocs to + mioolc
sclool tlcy louno, +no +notlcr +ttcnoco + oil-
lcrcnt clcmcnt+ry sclool l+st yc+r, so tlcy cloosc
tlosc two sclools.
llc stuocnts occioc to comp+rc o+t+ nrst by
printing out m+ps lor c+cl o+y lor clouo covcr
+no clouo typc. Lsing tlcsc m+ps, tlcy m+kc +n
obscrv+tion tl+t tlc clouo covcr obscrv+tions
+t tlc nc+rby sclools +rc not +lw+ys tlc s+mc
+s tlcirs.. In p+rticul+r, tlc otlcr clcmcnt+ry
sclool, wlicl is nc+r tlc mount+ins, sccms to
l+vc morc clouo covcr +no morc obscrv+tions
ol cumulus clouos tl+n N+t+lics sclool. llcy
occioc tl+t tlis will bc + gooo invcstig+tion.
llc mioolc sclool rcports clouo obscrv+tions
simil+r to tlcirs.
llc stuocnts rc+o +bout mount+in wc+tlcr +no
oiscovcr tl+t in mount+in +rc+s tlcrc usu+lly +rc
morc clouos, bcc+usc +s tlc +ir is blown +cross
tlc mount+ins it l+s to risc, +no rising +ir oltcn
lc+os to clouo lorm+tion. 0cc+usc strong upw+ro
motions lorm tlc clouos, tlcy tcno to bc cumu-
lus +no cvcn cumulonimbus clouos. llis sccms
to cxpl+in wl+t tlcy +rc sccing, +no \rs. ]oncs
suggcsts tl+t tlcy tcst tlis cxpl+n+tion.
llc stuocnts cxpcct to nno tl+t GlO0l sclools
nc+r tlc mount+ins l+vc morc clouo covcr
+no morc obscrv+tions ol cumulus clouos tl+n
otlcr nc+rby sclools l+rtlcr +w+y lrom tlc
mount+ins.
Altcr cx+mining o+t+ lor +n cntirc yc+r, tlc
stuocnts nno tlc lollowing o+t+ lor 2-J obscr-
v+tions:
NafaIie`s Mounfain View
schooI schooI
No clouos 1 1J
Clc+r 33 27
Isol+tco 1S 1-
Sc+ttcrco 32 3
0rokcn o- oo
Ovcrc+st 71 7`
Obscurco Sky 7 `
It is clc+r inocco tl+t tlc \ount+in Vicw sclool
l+s morc ovcrc+st o+ys +no lcwcr clc+r o+ys (or
o+ys witl no clouos) tl+n N+t+lics sclool. llc
stuocnts +rc l+ppy tl+t tlcy l+vc bccn +blc to
tcst tlcir cxpl+n+tion witl obscrv+tions.
Future Research
Anotlcr curiosity tlcy obscrvc, witl tlcir tc+clcrs
lclp, is tlc l+rgcr numbcr ol obscrv+tions ol
low clouo (23 morc o+ys witl low clouo typcs
+t \ount+in Vicw Sclool tl+n N+t+lics sclool),
+no tlcy wonocr il tlcy +rc cumulonimbus or cu-
mulus clouos` llcy +lso wonocr il tlc \ount+in
Vicw sclool l+s morc prccipit+tion tl+n N+t+lics
sclool, il tlcy l+vc morc cumulonimbus clouos.
llc stuocnts +rc c+gcr to bcgin tlcir ncxt invcs-
tig+tion

GLO8L

2005 Cloud Protocols - 15 Ntmosphere

Figure AT-CL-3
Figure AT-CL-2