Clouds Part 2 (From Worcester News)

Clouds Part 2

11:24am Tuesday 15th September 2009 in News By Paul Damari

Luke Howard worked in London and in 1803 he brought out papers named Modification of Clouds. He named four cloud types, giving them Latin names. Cloud that is wispy and resembles hair he called cirrus, the Latin for "hair" he named cirrus. Heaped clouds he named cumulus which means "pile". Featureless sheets of cloud he called stratus, from stratum, the Latin name for layer. Cloud of very low altitude and rain bearing he called nimbus, which just means cloud.

During 1874, the first International Meteorological Congress, scientists agreed on the need for a better cloud classification. They used Howard's name as a starting point, and published an International Cloud Atlas in 1896. As aviation developed during the 20th century, the need for cloud classification grew more urgent. The latest system is much better and understandable. It begins by dividing all clouds into ten "genera, with each genus (the singular of genera) made of a number of species, plus varieties of the species.

Next Week: Clouds Part 3

Glossary:

Molecule: A chemical combination of two or more atoms. Some molecules are comprised of thousands of atoms.

Weather for Coming Week:

Monday 14th September-Friday 18th September

High pressure will continue to influence the weather. Mostly set dry with cloud and some sunshine.

Winds in from the north-east light to moderate. Misty with a few shallow fog banks early each morning-tide.

Maximum temperature 18-20c 64-68f.

Minimum temperature 8-11c 46-52f.

Last Weeks Observations (Monday-Sunday)

Highest day temperature.........23.0c on Tuesday 8th September

Lowest night temperature.........5.1c on Thursday 10th September

Wettest day.............................Trace on Tuesday 8th September