1. Clouds

2. Learning Goals Identify the types of clouds by name and appearance
Understand the different types of weather associated with each cloud
Create a project on clouds

3. Project
You will create a large 3-part poster. It will include definitions, descriptions and pictures of the cloud types.

4. Cirrus Stratus Cumulus
Types of Clouds
Cirrus
Stratus
Cumulus

5. Cirrus
Cirrus clouds are usually the highest clouds. They are thin, feathery clouds made of tiny ice drops. Cirrus clouds sometimes look like horse’s tails because they are curly and wispy. They are thin enough to see through. Cirrus clouds usually mean fair weather, but if they build up over time and are followed by stratus clouds, they can mean a warm front is coming with stormy weather.

6. Cirrus

7. Stratus
Stratus clouds spread like gray sheets across the sky. They are flat and can be thick or thin. They look like a layer of blankets. They can be high or low in the sky. Rain or snow can fall from stratus clouds.

8. Stratus

9. Cumulus
Cumulus clouds are puffy and look like cotton balls. They are fluffy on top and flat on the bottom. They resemble cauliflower. They are usually low in the sky. Sometime they pile up like pillows and climb to 35,000 feet or more. That height, about seven miles above the Earth, is were many jet airliners fly. Cumulus clouds that are small and white bring good weather.

10. Cumulus

11. Cumulonimbus
Sometimes cumulus clouds grow bigger and taller. They may become dark. These cumulus clouds are known as cumulonimbus clouds. Cumulonimbus clouds bring thunderstorms. The word nimbus comes from a Latin word that means rain or rain storm.

12. Cumulonimbus

13. Naming convention for clouds
The names for clouds are combinations of the following prefixes or suffixes:
Stratus/strato = flat/layered and smooth
Cumulus/cumulo = heaped up/puffy, like cauliflower
Cirrus/cirro = High up/wispy
Alto = Medium level
Nimbus/Nimbo = Rain-bearing cloud

15. Video

16. Question: What type of clouds are puffy and look like cotton balls, and usually mean good weather?

17. Answer: Cumulus

18. Question: What type of clouds are associated with rain or snow and spread like gray sheets across the sky?

19. Answer: Stratus

20. Question: What type of clouds are thin and wispy and are formed at very high altitudes?

21. Answer: Cirrus

22. Video

23. Project
Use a white or blue background and fold into three equal sections
Label three sections
Use cotton balls to make the clouds
Include a definition and weather description with each cloud type
Add a picture to go with each cloud type

24. Divide your chart into three sections:
(to view the video you will have to scroll down)
Divide your chart into three sections:
Name of cloud
Picture and write-up