At approximately what altitude above the surface would you expect the base of cumuliform clouds if the surface air temperature is 25°C and the dew point is 11°C?

Study for the Sheppard Air Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Exam. Use flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and explanations to prepare. Get ready to ace your exam!

To determine the altitude at which the base of cumuliform clouds typically forms, you can use the dew point and the surface air temperature. The cloud base can be estimated with the following formula:

  1. First, convert the surface temperature and dew point from Celsius to a temperature difference. Subtract the dew point from the surface temperature:

Surface Temp - Dew Point = 25°C - 11°C = 14°C.

  1. Next, use the rule that for every 1°C of temperature difference, the cloud base will rise approximately 400 feet above the ground level.

  2. Multiply the temperature difference by 400 feet to estimate the altitude of the cloud base:

14°C * 400 ft/°C = 5,600 ft AGL.

Thus, at 5,600 feet AGL, the base of the cumuliform clouds can typically be expected, directly correlating the temperature difference to the altitude of cloud formation. This method provides a practical way to estimate cloud base in flight planning and weather observation, which is essential for safe operations within controlled airspace.

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