1. Water in the Atmosphere
Chapter 2.4
Pages 61-66

2. Cloud Formation 1. Air is warmed and rises
Infrared Radiation Heats Surface.
Evaporates water.

3. Cloud Formation 2. Air Expands as it rises
Air Cools at the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (Dry ALR= 10°C for every 1km)

4. Cloud Formation 3. Condensation Occurs
Must occur on condensation nuclei
Dust
Salt
Smoke

5. Cloud Formation 4. Condensation Level
The level at which condensation occurs.
Relative humidity = 100%
Temp and Dew Point are =

6. Cloud Formation 5. Cloud forms Air now cools at the Wet ALR= 5-9°C
Cools slower because condensation releases some heat.

7. Exit Pass
Describe two of the Global Winds (Where is it located, H or L pressure, direction, etc.)

8. Cloud Identification
Chapter 2.4
Pages 63-66

9. Cumulus Mean’s heap or mass, have a rounded, cotton-like appearance
Fair weather clouds
Form at altitude less than 2km
Can grow to be very tall, as high as 18km.

10. Altocumulus Look the same as Cumulus clouds
In Italian, Alto means ‘high’
Alto means that they form at a higher altitude, between 2 and 6km.

11. Cumulonimbus What does this cloud make you think of?
The suffix Nimbus means rain
Thunderstorm clouds, sometimes called thunderheads
Tallest clouds, they grow from cumulus clouds. Produce heavy rainfall.

12. Stratus Strato means “spread out” Stratus are flat, layered clouds
Usually cover most of the sky, creating “Overcast” days
They go ‘straight across the sky’

13. Nimbostratus The prefix Nimbus means rain
When flat, layered stratus clouds thicken
Bring drizzle, rain, or snow
Accompany warm fronts.

14. Altostratus Prefix Alto
Stratus clouds high in the atmosphere, between 2 and 6km.

15. Cirrus Clouds Feathery “hooked” ends; wispy Made up of ice crystals
First to arrive with a warm front.

16. Cirrocumulus Look like cumulus clouds
High in the atmosphere, above 6km
Made of ice crystals.

17. Mammatus Clouds Round, downward-extending protrusions. Bag-like
Usually occurs along with some cumulonimbus clouds
May indicate very severe weather.

18. Fog A cloud that occurs at or near the ground
Forms when the ground cools after a warm humid day
The air above the ground cools to the dew point
The sun “burns” off the fog (evaporates).

19. Exit Pass
Describe two of the three major cloud types and the type of weather they are associated with.

20. Question Explain how clouds are classified?
Use the Sky Watcher Chart to help you.

21. Quiz Directions: Read each question.
Click on the letter of your choice.
If you get a question wrong, the button will turn red. Try again.
If you get the question right, move on to the next question by clicking the arrow.
Click the arrow to the right to begin.
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22. Quiz
1. These clouds cover the sky and bring rain, snow or sleet. A
Stratus B
Cirrus C
Cumulus D
Nimbostratus

23. Quiz
2. What type of cloud is feathery or wispy? A
Cirrus B
Stratus C
Cumulus D
Nimbus

24. Quiz
3. What type of cloud means “heap” or “pile”? A
Stratus B
Cirrus C
Cumulus D
Mammatus

25. Quiz
4. Identify this cloud that occurs on the ground. A
Cirrus B
Cumulus C
Stratus D
Fog

26. Quiz
5. Identify this Cloud: A
Cirrus B
Mammatus C
Cumulus D
Cumulonimbus

27. Great Job!
Congratulations on being able to correctly identify the types of clouds! You are on your way to becoming a meteorologist. Keep up the great work!
Read pages 63-66
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