A Brief Overview of Clouds Found in Australia
Clouds have been the subject of wonder for many who think how the
beautiful cotton like structures hang up in the sky. While for some
others, clouds are the mode to detect climate conditions.
Classification of clouds
Clouds are mainly classified into 10 types which are further sub divided
in to 27 types according to their height, shape, colour and weather
association. Different clouds have different names like Cirrus, Cumulus,
Stratus and Nimbus. However, their broadest classification is into low,
middle or high clouds.
Wave clouds, Asperatus and Morning Glory clouds of Australia
 Some of the rarest and most fascinating clouds of the world can be
spotted in Australia for instance the Wave Clouds are formed by
atmospheric internal waves. These clouds are often seen as a thin layer
in the atmosphere. When air reaches the rim of the internal wave where
the temperature is cooler, it cools and condenses into clouds. While in
the lower part of the wave, clouds evaporate due to heating giving it
vertical rows of clouds.
The formation of a Morning Glory cloud in Australia is a very rare
phenomenon. It is a roll of clouds that can be 1000 kilometres long, 1
to 2 kilometres high and can travel up to a speed of 60 kilometres per
hour. These clouds are often accompanied by a sharp increase in
pressure, wind storms and intense low-level wind shear.
Asperatus is a new type of cloud of dark and bulgy formation. The lower
side of the cloud is rough and uneven.
Cloud seeding in Australia
Cloud seeding is a process by which the precipitation rate is increased
artificially. Chemicals like Silver Iodide and Dry Ice (frozen Carbon
Dioxide) and liquid Propane to increase precipitation rate. Cloud
seeding started after the WWII in Australia. Since Australia is a dry
country and receives less rainfall, cloud seeding is very important to
increase the rate of rainfall.
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