Cloud Physics

This book is designed primarily for readers with an active interest in meteorology -- meteorologists, both professional and amateur, weather observers, and all those concerned with aviation in its various phases. It is also intended for that considerable number of persons whose chief interest in meteorology is the study of clouds. The author deals in turn with classification of clouds; the materials of which clouds are composed; the process of cloud formation; the nuclei of condensation and sublimation; the problem of precipitation release (including discussion of rain-making experiments); the methods and equipment employed in observing clouds; the relation of clouds to flying; their significance with regard to forecasting; the special forms of cloud found at very high levels in the atmosphere; and the optical and electrical phenomena associated with clouds. For the benefit of non-technical readers, a glossary of technical terms is appended. There is a bibliography, and subject and author indexes have been included. This book is illustrated with diagrams and photographs; the latter are from a number of different sources, including the author's own cloud photographs. Foreword 5 Acknowledgments 6 Contents 7 1. Forms and Classification 25 2. Material of the Clouds 38 3. Processes of Cloud Formation 42 4. Nuclei of Condensation and Sublimation 60 5. Natural Precipitation 71 6. Induced Precipitation 77 7. The Observation of Clouds 82 8. Clouds in Relation to Forecasting 98 9. Clouds in Relation to Flying 105 10. Stratosphere Clouds 112 11. Optical and Electrical Phenomena Associated with Clouds 118 APPENDIX: Charts of Cloud Characteristics 123 GLOSSARY 137 BIBLIOGRAPHY 143 INDEXES 151