WeatherPart 3

The Clouds

Clouds form when the air temperature cools and causes water vapor in the air to condense into tiny drops of water.

As you can see there are many different types of clouds. They form as high as 40,000 feet and as low as 1 foot.

There are three basic types of clouds, Cirrus, Stratus, and Cumulous.

CIRRUS CLOUDS - These high altitude clouds are made up of tiny ice crystals. These are wispy clouds.

Cirrus generally occur in fair weather and point in the direction of air movement at their elevation.

These clouds are called Stratus clouds. These are the gray clouds you see on rainy days.

STRATUS CLOUDS form a low layer of dark gray clouds, they form along warm fronts and can bring light rain or snow showers.

CUMULUS CLOUDS – These puffy cotton-ball clouds begin to form when water droplets condense at middle altitudes.

Cumulus clouds signify a change in the weather.

These clouds can become Cumulonimbus clouds. These occur when a cold front moves through.

CUMULONIMBUS – are the towering clouds you see just before it rains. These are where the thunder storms form.

Photo by Herbert Campbell NOAA Central Library /NWS

QUIZ TIME

Identify the following types of clouds

1. 2.

3. 4.

Cirrus Clouds Cumulus Clouds

Cumulonimbus Stratus Clouds

Wispy Clouds

Cotton Balls

Towering Storm Clouds Grey/Icky