CONDENSATION is change of state of water
vapor (gas) to liquid water. This process releases energy and is very
important in the development of storm systems. This photo shows
condensation taking place as warm, moist air rises from cooling towers from the
Agua Fria Steam Generating Plant in Glendale, Arizona. The condensation
takes place as the air is cooled to its dew point temperature, much like
seeing your breath on a very cool morning. The conditions at the time of
the photograph were calm winds, high humidity and cool morning air.
DEW on a spider's web. This early
morning picture was taken after an evening of extensive radiative cooling of the
atmosphere. The clear night sky allowed much of the heat to leave the
surface of the Earth. This cooling brought the temperature to the dew
point temperature - that is, the temperature at which dew forms or 100% relative
humidity.
Dendritic growth of FROST on a car
hood. Yes, even in Phoenix there are frost days. Frost is not frozen
dew. Frost develops directly from water vapor. It develops when the
moisture in the air deposits directly to the solid state. In many cases
the frost produces an artistic display of crystals.
VIRGA falling from altostratus clouds over
Glendale Community College, AZ. This picture was taken around
sunset. Clouds in the west were blocking sunlight from the top of the
clouds in this picture, but, sunlight did illuminate the virga falling from the
cloud base.