Interactive Orographic Cloud Formation Simulator

Orographic Cloud Formation Simulator

Created By : Ir. MD Nursyazwi

Instructions on How to Use

This simulator models the process of orographic cloud formation, where moist air is forced to rise over an obstacle such as a mountain. To begin the simulation, adjust the sliders in the 'Data Input' section. The graphical representation will update in real-time, showing the transport of moisture and the eventual formation of a cloud.

Wind Speed: Controls the horizontal movement of the air.
Initial Humidity: Determines the amount of water vapor in the air. A higher value makes cloud formation more likely.
Initial Temperature: Sets the initial temperature of the air at sea level.
Cloud Turbulence Factor: Controls the level of "stirring" motion in the cloud particles. A higher value makes the clouds appear more dynamic and turbulent.

Observe the 'Graphical Simulation' to see the air parcel's journey and the 'Data Output' for key meteorological variables in real time.

Data Input

Wind Speed (m/s): 10

Initial Humidity (%): 70

Initial Temperature (°C): 25

Cloud Turbulence Factor: 0.5

Graphical Simulation

Legend:

Cloud Droplets (Condensation)

Cloud Turbulence (Stirring Motion)

Moisture-Laden Air

Data Air Parcel

Raindrops

Data Output

Current Altitude: 0 m

Current Air Temperature: 0 °C

Dew Point Temperature: 0 °C

Cloud Base Height: N/A m

Graphs and Charts

This chart visualizes the temperature and dew point of the air parcel as it ascends the mountain, demonstrating the point at which condensation begins.

Science Explanations

Cloud formation is a fundamental process in the global water cycle, driven by the principles of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics. This simulator specifically models orographic lift, a mechanism where a parcel of air is forced to ascend a topographical barrier, such as a mountain range. As the air rises, the atmospheric pressure decreases. According to the first law of thermodynamics, the air parcel expands and performs work on its surroundings, leading to a decrease in its internal energy and, consequently, a drop in temperature. This process is known as adiabatic cooling.

As the air cools, its capacity to hold water vapor diminishes. The dew point temperature is the temperature to which air must be cooled at a constant pressure to reach saturation. When the air parcel’s temperature cools to its dew point, the relative humidity reaches 100%. At this point, the excess water vapor begins to condense around microscopic particles in the air, known as cloud condensation nuclei (e.g., dust, pollen, salt). This condensation process releases latent heat, which slows the rate of cooling of the rising air parcel. The altitude at which this condensation begins is the Lifting Condensation Level (LCL), which corresponds to the base of the newly formed cloud. The resulting cloud is an orographic cloud, a persistent feature often observed on the windward side of mountains.

Within a cloud, air and water droplets are not static. The Cloud Turbulence Factor in this simulator represents a key meteorological phenomenon: atmospheric turbulence. This refers to the chaotic, irregular, and often swirling motion of the air. Turbulence is caused by factors such as strong winds, uneven heating of the ground, and the physical obstacle of the mountain itself.

In a real cloud, this turbulence acts to mix the air, influencing the distribution and size of the cloud droplets. It can cause a cloud to appear more dynamic and "stirred up," breaking its smooth edges and giving it a more fluffy or fragmented appearance. It also plays a role in how moisture is transported within the cloud, which can affect the growth of water droplets and the potential for precipitation. By adjusting this factor in the simulator, you are effectively controlling the level of this chaotic motion, which directly impacts the visual behavior of the simulated cloud.

Quranic Reference

اللَّهُ الَّذِي يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُ فِي السَّمَاءِ كَيْفَ يَشَاءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى الْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَالِهِ ۖ فَإِذَا أَصَابَ بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

It is Allah who sends the winds, and they stir up clouds, and He spreads them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments so you see the rain emerge from within them. And when it falls upon whomever He wills of His servants, immediately they rejoice. (Quran 30:48)

References

1. Stull, R. B. (2017). Practical Meteorology: An Algebra-based Survey of the Atmosphere. University of British Columbia.
2. Ahrens, C. D. (2016). Essentials of Meteorology: An Invitation to the Atmosphere. Cengage Learning.
3. Lutgens, F. K., Tarbuck, E. J., & Tasa, D. (2018). The Atmosphere: An Introduction to Meteorology. Pearson.

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