1. Clouds
Revised and edited by Tracy Sikes, Mount Bethel Elementary

2. When water vapor in the air becomes liquid water or ice crystals.
How do clouds form?
When water vapor in the air becomes liquid water or ice crystals.

3. Condensation
When the water vapor reaches the high cool air, it turns into water drops that form the clouds.
This is condensation and is part of the water cycle.

4. TYPES OF CLOUDS
There are many types of clouds but 3 main types (Stratus, Cumulus, and Cirrus).
Clouds are classified by:
1. Their color
2. Their shape and size
3. Where they form in the atmosphere.

5. Sheets of low, grey clouds that bring light snow, rain, or drizzle.
STRATUS
Sheets of low, grey clouds that bring light snow, rain, or drizzle.

6. A cloud in contact with the ground. Fog is a type of Stratus cloud.

7. NIMBOSTRATUS
Thicker layer than stratus clouds that completely block out the sun. They cause steady rain or snow.

8. White and puffy clouds that usually mean good weather.
CUMULUS
White and puffy clouds that usually mean good weather.

9. CUMULUS Cumulus clouds are fun to watch.
People often see “pictures” in the sky made by Cumulus clouds.

10. CUMULONIMBUS
Dark, towering clouds that are also called “thunderheads”. These clouds produce heavy rain, thunder, and lighting.

11. CUMULONIMBUS
Often referred to as Nimbus.

12. CIRRUS
Thin, featherlike clouds that are made of ice crystals high in the atmosphere. Usually means a change in the weather is coming.

13. CIRRUS CLOUDS

14. What does the color of a cloud tell you?
The color of a cloud lets you know how much water it contains.
White clouds have little water.
Dark clouds usually mean
heavy rain.
Grey clouds can mean
snow or rain.

15. Where do clouds form?
Clouds form along weather fronts.