Abstract
Low level clouds are one of the most important meteorological phenomena, which can significantly influence every flight phase. In general, clouds are visible indicators of physical processes realized in the atmosphere. They provide information about winds, stability, moisture content and travelling weather systems. Knowledge of cloud base is very important, particularly to a pilot on the descent to an airport flying through a cloud. Cloud base is given as the height of the base of the cloud above a particular level (usually ground level). For aerodrome reports and forecasts the base is the height above the official aerodrome level. For international airports, reports should refer to the approach area; for airports equipped with ILS reference should be to the site of the Middle Marker beacon. This paper deals with analysis of diurnal and annual variations of low level clouds at the Slovak international airport in Bratislava. The results are applicable in aviation weather forecasting and characterizing of dynamic climate of the region.
Highlights
Low level clouds are especially stratiform clouds (Stratus and Stratocumulus) in lower troposphere with base height maximally 2 km above ground level
Low level clouds are potentially hazardous to flight operation, but it is quite difficult to define their impacts on operation since they will depend on aircraft type, pilot skills and experience and the navigation aids available en route or at the departure/destination/alternate airport [1]
The formation of low level clouds is influenced by the character of an air mass or front, of which the passage is expected in the particular region, and by the development of pressure field, to which the air mass or front is connected
Summary
Low level clouds are especially stratiform clouds (Stratus and Stratocumulus) in lower troposphere with base height maximally 2 km above ground level. Low level clouds can extend in horizontal distance of hundreds or thousands kilometers and vertically up to the height of 1 – 2 km. They can be observed in the area of warm and occluded front in central part and in a warm sector of a low pressure area (cyclone). They are formed at the edges of anticyclone and in the case of high air mass humidity they can even originate in central part of anticyclone. The creation of low level clouds generally depends on synoptic conditions and their changes are caused by the presence of a certain weather type [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Communications - Scientific letters of the University of Zilina
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
