Weather

THE weather is an important part of diving and you must take note of the conditions before you go out and do any diving or any water sport.  Inland and sea diving are all weather related sports.   Weather problems can course problems but we teach how to say safe by avoiding them.

Their are so many reasons why you should take note of the weather and we could go on for ever listing them, but we will not.    If you dive with us these problems will never happen if you follow your training!

BSAC clubs, like us include training at all levels on the weather, from basic forecasting to advance forecasting, through to what to do should the unthinkable ever happen, no matter how remote!     

Remember stay safe, follow our weather advice...

Clouds

Clouds are usually the most obvious feature of the sky. They both reflect weather patterns and play a role in what the weather does.

Locations of clouds:-

 

Low-level clouds... 6,500 feet, or 2,000 meters.

Mid-level clouds... 6,500 and 23,000 feet, or 2,000 and 7,000 meters.
High-level clouds... 20,000 feet, or 6,000 meters.

Types of clouds:-

Stratus clouds are a uniform gray and usually cover most of the sky.
Cirrus clouds are thin and high in the sky.
Cumulus clouds are lumpy and can stretch high into the sky.
Thunderstorms are cumulus clouds, sometimes called "thunderheads."
Mammatus clouds have pouches that hang down.

Names represent different kinds of clouds:-

Cirrus Clouds...  These are high-level clouds that are thin and wispy.  They are the most common type.  They are generally found above 20,000 feet, or 6,000 meters. Cirrus clouds are of ice crystals due to the freezing water drops. Usually on fair weather days, in the direction of the breeze, these cirrus clouds may be enjoyed.

Altocumulus Clouds...  Altocumulus clouds appear from the ground to have “parallel bands.” These clouds form by a process of convection. On warm and humid summer mornings, these clouds will be present in the sky and later in the day, will often leaded to thunderstorms.  Thunderstorms are cumulus clouds, sometimes called "thunderheads."   Portions of the cloud are shaded, which is a characteristic that sets them apart from the other clouds like the high level Cirrocumulus.   They are generally found above 20,000 feet, or 6,000 meters.

Nimbostratus Clouds...  Nimbostratus clouds are characterized to be dark, low-level clouds generally found below 6,500 feet, or 2,000 meters.  They hold and releases precipitation (water droplets).  People very often see these clouds. When cold enough, snow and hail may also be product from these clouds.

Fair Weather Cumulus Clouds...  Cumulus is Latin for 'heap'.  These are the cartoon  “puffy cotton balls” that float along in peoples dreams...  These clouds amazingly have a lifetime of between 5 and 40 minutes. Recognized for their flat bases, distinct structure, vertical shape and for lying on the limit where the air ceases to raise.   These clouds may develop into cumulonimbus clouds, if fair weather and cooperating conditions are present.  Sadly though sometimes cumulus clouds develop into the storm cloud cumulonimbus which brings lightning and thunder.   

Cumulonimbus Clouds...  'The King of Clouds'.  They are generally found starting around 6,500 feet, or 2,000 meters.  At lower levels these clouds are filled mostly with water.  But as they can stretch high into the sky.  some times as high as10 kilometers.  At higher elevations ice forms and the temperature drops.   In contrast to the fair weather cumulus, the cumulonimbus clouds are larger and more vertically developed.  

Cumulus Clouds... They are often low in the air and look like cotton wool or like cauliflower on top with a flat base.  Clusters of small white cumulus clouds are usually a sign of fine weather. Sometimes cumulus clouds develop into the storm cloud cumulonimbus which brings lightning and thunder. Cumulonimbus Clouds are called 'the King of Clouds'. The base of a cumulonimbus cloud is often low but it may be as high as 10 kilometers.

Stratus Clouds... They are a uniform light gray and usually cover most of the sky.    They are composed of fine water droplets that become larger as they collide with each other and are often very low in the air.   These low-level clouds are generally found below 6,500 feet, or 2,000 meters.  It is usually composed of liquid water droplets, but they can have snow and ice crystals in cold weather.

More weather topics to come....

Design Copyright © Patrick Trollope 2005.