Author Topic: Judging the height and size of clouds  (Read 3778 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Gambit

  • Guest
Judging the height and size of clouds
« on: 05 November 2007, 04:04:57 PM »
Hi All,

I've read in a few posts that people quote the heights of clouds and was wondering how you judge or approximate the height of clouds?

The only way that I can think of to judge height, is by the type of cloud it is and simply knowing the levels that they exist at.

but as for size I have no idea, how to look at a storm front for wall cloud and say "Oh yeah, that's 1.5 Kms wide!"

Any advice is welcomed.


Cheers

Mat.

Offline Michael Bath

  • storm chaser
  • Administrator
  • Wedge tornado F5
  • *
  • Posts: 1,602
  • Gender: Male
    • Australian Severe Weather
Re: Judging the height and size of clouds
« Reply #1 on: 06 November 2007, 02:27:04 AM »
Hi Mat,

This is something that comes through experience in watching the sky and clouds over many years though it will always be inexact. Knowing distances between you and hills or mountains can help you to judge how far away storm clouds are, and also how tall they might be.

You can also use the soundings to provide an estimate of where the tropopause is and subsequently what height anvils will be - though powerful storms will punch through this somewhat. The soundings can also be used to estimate other cloud heights, and what level the bases will be.

Eg: If there is an inversion at 4,500 metres, you might see cumulus congestus bubbling up and looking promising, but not getting past that height due to the warm layer preventing deeper convection.

MB
Location: Mcleans Ridges, NSW Northern Rivers
Australian Severe Weather:   http://australiasevereweather.com/
Lightning Photography:   http://www.lightningphotography.com/
Early Warning Network: http://www.ewn.com.au
Contact: Michael Bath

Offline Richary

  • Barrel tornado F4
  • *
  • Posts: 680
  • Gender: Male
Re: Judging the height and size of clouds
« Reply #2 on: 06 November 2007, 04:58:19 PM »
I remember flying to Bangkok in 1992, at about 11000 metres. The storm we skirted over the Gulf of Siam at night was a lot higher than the plane. And down below I could see the lights of a (fishing?) boat about to get creamed. Pretty spectacular display it was too.

Offline Shaun Galman

  • Stove pipe F3
  • *
  • Posts: 441
  • Gender: Male
    • ridgelightning.com
Re: Judging the height and size of clouds
« Reply #3 on: 08 November 2007, 03:46:38 AM »
Hi guys,
This has somewhat puzzled me also? The storms I have seen have been fairly random in structure and heights, it would be great if a small measuring device was created, maybe a laser that could be bounced from the cloud base somehow? (similar to the ones used in the construction trade to mark footings ect.) It would make life alot easier!

Cheers.
Shauno
Chasing Region: Lightning Ridge. N.S.W.
Website: www.ridgelightning.com

Offline Jimmy Deguara

  • Australian and Tornado Alley storm chaser
  • Administrator
  • Wedge tornado F5
  • *
  • Posts: 2,218
  • Gender: Male
  • Storm Chaser since 1993, Tornado Alley 2001
    • Australia Severe Weather
Re: Judging the height and size of clouds
« Reply #4 on: 08 November 2007, 08:13:20 AM »
Although not directly related, the observation weather techniques I wrote discusses the techniques used by chasers to judge cloud movements and distance in general - these skills then enhance the concept of judging cloud heights.

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/techniques/index.html

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
-------------------------------------
Australian Severe Weather
www.australiasevereweather.com

Australian Thunderbolt Tours
www.thunderbolttours.com

Phone  0408 020468  (International :  61  2  408 020468)