| Our atmosphere is filled with an invisible gas called | | | | above the freezing mark, the water vapor turns |
| water vapor. Most, in fact 90%, of the water | | | | to liquid. |
| that is in our atmosphere on Earth comes from | | | | Temperature change in the clouds will cause a |
| the ocean. Ocean water is heated by the sun, and | | | | change in the water vapor material and can cause |
| the warmest water evaporates into the warmest | | | | an increase in condensation, an increase in vapor |
| air. The warmer the air, the more water it can | | | | volume and a change back into liquid water. When |
| hold, but no matter what, there is a limit, and | | | | the temperatures are below freezing, the water |
| when the air becomes full of water vapor, the | | | | vapor may condense and become super cooled, |
| molecules change from a gas back to a liquid. This | | | | but only change to liquid, or they may turn into |
| is called the saturation point. Weather changes can | | | | ice crystals. Clouds need millions and millions of |
| do much to cause the condensation of water | | | | molecules of water vapor to come together so |
| vapor and the creation of clouds. When climate | | | | that they can form. |
| change such as a when a cold front pushes | | | | Air masses rise for three reasons. One, is the |
| through, thunderstorms will often occur. | | | | most visibly obvious, when an air mass meets a |
| The dew point is the temperature that the water | | | | mountain, it is going to rise up and go over the |
| vapor has to reach in order to turn back into its | | | | mountain. There is actually a name for this rising |
| liquid form. Condensation occurs when several | | | | air mass, orographic lifting. If the air that is moving |
| molecules of water vapor attach themselves to | | | | over the mountain is moist enough, clouds will |
| what is called the condensation nuclei. Tiny | | | | form. Two, when two fronts meet, the warmer |
| particles of dust, salt and air pollutants act as | | | | of the two fronts will rise above the cooler front, |
| these nuclei. When condensation is dense enough | | | | and the moisture in the warm air will cause clouds. |
| to be visible above the ground, it is called fog. Fog | | | | The third reason air masses rise is when |
| is actually a low lying cloud. | | | | convection occurs. The Earth's surface is heated |
| Cloud formation occurs when condensation | | | | by the sun, the warm air rises up to their dew |
| happens in the atmosphere. There are high, mid | | | | point and again cause clouds. Conditions are much |
| and low level clouds that are made up water | | | | more stable when warm air lies on top of the |
| vapor, some of which, the higher it climbs will | | | | cooler air. The more an air mass rises, the more |
| freeze into ice crystals. When the temperatures | | | | unstable the air is going to be. |
| where the condensation is occurring is warm, or | | | | |