Sc stratiformis opacus
/ 0 Comments / in Low Levels, StratocumulusThis photo and the first thumbnail show sea-induced cloud formations and a cloud street (main photo) composed of stratocumulus stratiformis opacus cloud bank due to a cold air outbreak contrasting with a warm sea surface after the passage of a cold front as shown in the surface pressure chart on the 3rd thumbnail. This lake-effect cloud formation is clearly demonstrated on the visible satellite image on the 4th thumbnail which combined with the cold surface wind on the 5th thumbnail produced beautiful steam-like features similar to steam rising from a bath filled with hot water. The weather sounding on the 2nd thumbnail showed instability in the first 3 kilometers of the atmosphere with rising cumulus congestus clouds being forced to spread horizontally as per photo because of a dry and stable airmass just above this level. Kindly note that the sea is only able to influence the cold airmass in the lowest levels of the atmosphere to induce instability but the airmass at higher altitudes is able to retain its original feautures.
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