Clouds

WEATHER WATCHERS

High Clouds

Middle/Alto Clouds Low Clouds

Vertical Growing Clouds

HIGH CLOUDS

Cirrus Cirrostratus Cirrocumulus

Cirrus CloudsThe most common of the high clouds. They are

thin and composed of ice. Cirrus clouds let us know that the weather is likely to change within 24

hours.

CirrostratusThin sheet like clouds that often cover the entire

sky. They usually appear 12-24 hours before a rain or snow storm.

CirrocumulusAppear as small white puffs that are collected in

long rows. Usually seen in the winter and indicate fair but cold weather.

MIDDLE CLOUDS

Altostratus Altocumulus

AltostratusGray or blue-gray mid level clouds made up of ice crystals and water droplets that usually cover the entire sky. Are often seen ahead of storms with

continuous rain or snow.

Altocumulus Mid level clouds made of tiny water droplets and appear as gray puffy masses. They usually appear

in groups. They are indications of afternoon thunderstorms.

LOW CLOUDS

Stratus Stratocumulus Nimbostratus

Stratus Uniform grayish clouds that cover the entire sky. They are low

clouds that do not touch the ground. They mean rain if its warm and snow if its cold.

Stratocumulus Low puffy gray clouds. Most form in row where blue skies can be seen in between them. Rain

rarely comes from them.

NimbostratusDark gray wet looking cloudy layer associated with

continuous rain or snow fall. Precipitation is usually light to moderate.

VERTICAL GROWING CLOUDS

Cumulus Cumulonimbus

Cumulus White puffy clouds that look like pieces of floating

cotton. These clouds are often called “fair weather” clouds.

Cumulonimbus

These are thunderstorm clouds. The top of the clouds are flattened by high winds. They are

associated with heavy rain, snow, hail and even tornados.

BIBLIOGRAPHY" Google Image Result for http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/physics/weather/pictures/stratus.jpg." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2010. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/physics/weather/pictures/stratus.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/physics/weather/stratus.htm&usg=__fR2iJDlJj-CFJbdYOAHL0SUbYPM=&h=294&w=400&sz=6&hl>.

"Cumulonimbus Clouds." Science and Space Facts, Science and Space, Human Body, Health, Earth, Human Disease - National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2010. <http://science.nationalgeographic.com/wallpaper/science/photos/clouds/cumulonimbus-cloud/>.

King, Bob. "Astro Bob." AreaVoices. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2010. <http://www.areavoices.com/astrobob/?blog=32721>.

"Learning about the world through photography | TrekEarth." Learning about the world through photography | TrekEarth. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2010. <http://www.trekearth.com/>.

"Royalty Free Music, Free Sound Effects, Free Royalty Free Music Loops." Royalty Free Music, Free Sound Effects, Free Royalty Free Music Loops. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2010. <http://www.partnersinrhyme.com>.

"Weather Wiz Kids weather information for kids." Weather Wiz Kids weather information for kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2010. <http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm>.

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