Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: NASA
Context: NASA’s Terra satellite recently captured a cluster of cavum clouds over the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s west coast.
What are Cavum clouds (also known as hole-punch clouds or fallstreak holes)?
They are formations in the atmosphere that appear as if a large circle or ellipse has been neatly cut from the clouds, leaving feathery wisps in the middle of the hole. They are a result of aeroplanes flying through banks of altocumulus clouds, causing supercooled water droplets to freeze into ice crystals due to adiabatic expansion. The falling ice crystals leave a hole in the cloud layer, with wispy trails of precipitation visible in the centre known as virga.
Types of Clouds:
| Type | Description |
| Cirrus Clouds | Wispy, curly, or stringy clouds found high in the atmosphere, usually made of ice crystals. |
| Signal clear, fair weather. | |
| Stratus Clouds | Horizontal, layered clouds that can blanket the entire sky. Occur close to the Earth’s surface. |
| Form at the boundary of warm fronts, where warm, moist air is forced up over cold air. | |
| Cumulus Clouds | Large, lumpy clouds that stretch vertically into the atmosphere. |
| Created by strong updrafts of warm, moist air. | |
| Nimbostratus Clouds | Low and middle dark grey clouds with precipitation falling from them. |
| Stratocumulus Clouds | Low clouds with irregular masses, rolling or puffy in appearance. |
| Cumulonimbus Clouds | Large clouds with dark bases and tall billowing towers. |
| Can have sharp well-defined edges or an anvil shape at the top. | |
| Precipitation can obscure the base of the clouds. |
Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
