An Investigation of Clouds and Precipitation for the Texas High Plains Page: 29
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29
and cumulonimbus, each thunderhead being surmounted by an associated veil
of cirrus. As the sun approaches the horizon the cumulus clouds begin
either to dissipate or to flatten out and become altocumuli, which as a
result, increase slightly. As the sun sets, all convective activity,
except for a few scattered cumulonimbus, ceases, and the cloudiness is
mostly due to altocumulus and cirrus. This pattern is maintained through-
out the rest of the night.
The description above is identical to the sequence of cloudiness
reported by Sellers (1958) for a typical Arizona station during a mid-summer
day. In making generalizations of this sort, several factors, especially as
regards the distribution of cirrus and cumulonimbus must be considered. As
mentioned previously, there is a space distribution of cumulonimbus such that
its occurrence may not be reported at a station even though the cirrus from
distant cumulonimbus may be. Also, cumulonimbus is not readily seen at night,
although lightning and thunder may be reported in present weather. Under
these circumstances, cumulonimbus clouds would not be reported.
All cloud types, with the exception of stratus and stratocumulus
are reported less frequently in September than in August. The lessening of
convective activity has caused a sharp decrease in the occurrence of cumulus
and cumulonimbus. It should be noticed also that the bi-modal character of
the cirrus distribution has practically disappeared and cirrus exhibits only
one maximum at 6 p.m.
October is characterized by a further decrease in cumulus, cumulo-
nimbus, and altocumulus and a slight increase in stratus, stratocumulus, and
cirrus. Cirrus is the dominant cloud type, followed by altocumulus and cumulus.
Morning cirrus is increasing so that there is once again a secondary peak
during the morning hours. In general, October is characterized by decreasing
cloudiness.
With the exception of cirriform clouds, frequencies continue to
decrease during November. Cumulonimbus clouds have essentially disappeared
and the cumulus frequency is down to 2 or 3 per month. Cirrus continues to
be the dominant cloud type, and is beginning to exhibit a broad maximum during
the daylight hours. Altocumulus continues to be the second most abundant type
followed by stratocumulus and stratus in that order.
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Haragan, Donald R. An Investigation of Clouds and Precipitation for the Texas High Plains, report, March 1970; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth839452/m1/41/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.