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Stratocumulus Lenticularis ?
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1221 W: 146 N: 2825]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (8928) |
| Genre: Landscapes |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-05-09 |
| Categories: Sky |
| Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-06-09 1:49 |
| Viewed: 515 |
| Points: 10 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
These were clouds that appeared in the west one evening a few weeks ago (as seen from Greymouth).
Looking at a few images,I at first thought these might be middle level clouds (alto clouds) but,thinking more about it,they weren't that high.
Some of the clouds around these were much loger and flatter, and these were beginning to flatten out.
They reminded me of lenticular clouds at higher altitudes. They seemed too low though.
When I discovered there were indeed such clouds as Stratocumulus (low level,puffy) Lenticularis (lens shaped) clouds, I thought that this was possibly the category into which these would fit.
Read the information from Wikipedia and see if you agree:
A stratocumulus cloud belongs to a class characterized by large dark, rounded masses, usually in groups, lines, or waves, the individual elements being larger than those in altocumuli, and the whole being at a lower altitude, usually below 2,400 m (8,000 ft). Weak convective currents create shallow cloud layers because of drier, stable air above preventing continued vertical development.
Vast areas of subtropical and polar oceans are covered with massive sheets of stratocumuli. These may organize in to distinctive patterns which are currently under active study. In subtropics, they cover the edges of the horse latitude climatological highs, and reduce the amount of solar energy absorbed in the ocean. When these drift over land the summer heat or winter cold is reduced. 'Dull weather' is a common expression incorporated with overcast stratocumulus days. If the air over land is moist and hot enough they may develop to various cumulus clouds, or, more commonly, the sheets of thick stratocumuli may have a nimbostratus look on them. The distinction here is the amount of rain produced. On drier areas they quickly dissipate over land, resembling cumulus humilis.
Generally, stratocumuli bring only light rain or snow. However, these clouds are often seen at either the front or tail end of worse weather, so may indicate storms to come, in the form of thunderheads or gusty winds.
These are same in appearance to altocumuli and are often mistaken for such. A simple test to distinguish these is to compare the size of individual masses or rolls: when pointing your hand in the direction of the cloud, if the cloud is about the size of your thumb, it is altocumulus; if it is the size of your entire hand, it is stratocumulus.
Stratocumulus lenticularis are separate flat elongated seed-shaped clouds. They are typical for polar countries or warmer climate during winter seasons. They also can be formed by winds passing hills or mountains, and in this case they can be very regularly shaped.
Well ... what do you think ?
If anyone here is a meteorologist and knows all about clouds I'd love to hear your view.
Cheers
Steve |
carper, rousettus has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- carper
(8388)
- [2008-06-09 2:47]
- [+]
it's a nice sky shot Steve,
the quality is good, I want to see this sky with a lovely country unther, good quality, fine job, have a nice day.
gr. jaap
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- joey
(21303)
- [2008-06-09 14:26]
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They are some beautiful clouds!
Very well exposed with great colours.
Excellent composition.
Superb clarity.
Great observation.
Nice one, Steve!
Cheers!
Joe
p.s did you see my reply to your critique?
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- red45
(26909)
- [2008-06-09 14:26]
- [+]
Hi Steve!
Wow, this isn't cloud, this is UFO! Check out pages at http://malbork.20m.com/menu2.htm they're made by Dr Jan Pajak probably best known Polish ufologist [or madman] who lives in NZ :-)
Hello Steve,
I can't see an mountain under the clouds. Lenticularis can you see always above an mountain. What type of cloud this is, I'm so sorry. But the photo is loud and clear. I think this is the separation between two fronts (warm and cold) I'm curious about the answers.
Greetings and TFS BOB
Hello Steve
in first look, it looks a simple, but very nice scene with fantastic coloration. good notes. TFS, weel done
Ahmet
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 360 W: 19 N: 340]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(1365)