2. Cloud Formations Science-Grade 5 Holly Jarman October 30, 2008 Click The Cloud To Move On

3. Menu: Click to Travel  Review the Water Cycle Review the Water Cycle Review the Water Cycle  Learn about Cloud Formations Learn about Cloud Formations Learn about Cloud Formations  Take the Post-test Take the Post-test Take the Post-test  Finish this Lesson Finish this Lesson Finish this Lesson

4. Remember…  We learned about the Water Cycle earlier this year –PRECIPITATION is rain, snow, or hail that falls from the sky and collects on the earth –EVAPORATION is when the sun heats collected water and the water rises into the atmosphere –CONDENSATION occurs when the evaporated water cools and water droplets stick together…forming clouds!!!  Today, we will learn about cloud types –There are three main categories of clouds:  Stratus  Cirrus  Cumulus –They are also classified by altitude levels

5. Stratus Clouds  Stratus clouds are known as “low” clouds because they are found under 6,000 ft. into our atmosphere  They are long and grey or white in color  They form in horizontal sheets  They look like fog, but they do not touch the ground  They can produce drizzle, but rarely produce rain  They can combine with cumulus clouds to make stratocumulus clouds –Light to dark gray in color, can produce weak precipitation

6. Some pictures of Stratus Clouds  The word “stratus” comes from the Latin word for “layer”.  Remember that stratus clouds appear in long waves or layers—like in the third picture

7. Cirrus Clouds  Can be described as thin and wispy  They are considered “high” clouds because their altitudes in the sky are upwards of 20,000 ft.  They usually indicate fair or pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine  Cirrus clouds can combine with other cloud types –Ex: Cirrostratus or Cirrocumulus  These are high altitude cloud that cover the entire sky

8. Images of Cirrus Clouds  The word “cirrus” is the Latin translation of “curl of hair”  Remember that these clouds are characterized by being thin and wispy like in the second picture

9. Cumulus Clouds  These clouds look like cotton—they are puffy and white  Cumulus clouds have “vertical development” –This means they start as a flat base and grow upwards  These clouds can start out as low to the ground as 330 ft. and grow up to 39,000 ft. tall

10. Cumulus continued…  There are several types of cumulus clouds –Cumulus Congestus (aka Towering Cumulus) is a type of cumulus cloud with a thin base and a flowering top—it looks like a cauliflower  These clouds can usually be seen in good weather, but may indicate bad weather later on

11. Pictures of Cumulus Clouds  The word “cumulus” is Latin for “heap”  The third picture is of a “towering” cumulus. It is very tall, but not as wide—like a cauliflower

12. Alto- Clouds  These are mid-level clouds. They are found anywhere from 6,500 to 23,000 ft. in the atmosphere  Altostratus clouds are gray, found in layers, and are made up of water droplets and ice crystals –They can cover the entire sky with very little sun shining through –These typically form at the head of thunderstorms or bad precipitation storms

13. Alto- Clouds continued…  Altocumulus clouds are gray and puffy –They are primarily made up of water droplets –If these clouds are seen on a humid day, thunderstorms may form later in the day—these can precede storms with heat lightning Altostratus Altocumulus

14. Nimbus Clouds  The word “Nimbus” is Latin for “rain” –These clouds are forms of other clouds that produce precipitation  Nimbostratus are dark gray stratus clouds that produce light to moderate precipitation  Cumulonimbus clouds are Cumulus Congestus cloud that grow up to high altitudes –These are clouds that produce dangerous weather such as thunder, lightning, and tornados

15. Nimbus Cloud Images  Remember…if clouds are “nimbus” clouds they are producing precipitation  Cumulonimbus clouds are the ones that produce lightning

16. Let’s Go “Cloud Watching”  Watch this short video before you take the post- test, just to get a look at the three main types of clouds—stratus, cirrus, and cumulus Click on this box to start the video Click Here to Take the Post-Test

17. Post-test Question 1  This cloud type is characterized by being puffy and white, with vertical development –Cirrus Cirrus –Nimbus Nimbus –Cumulus Cumulus –Stratus Stratus

18. Post-Test Question 2  This cloud formation is low altitude (less than 6,000 ft. above the ground) and typically forms in layers. –Stratus Stratus –Cirrus Cirrus –Altocumulus Altocumulus –Cumulonimbus Cumulonimbus

19. Post-Test Question 3  This cloud is thin and wispy. It is a high- altitude cloud, appearing 20,000 ft. above the ground –Nimbus Nimbus –Cumulus Cumulus –Altostratus Altostratus –Cirrus Cirrus

20. Post-Test Question 4  This type of Cumulus Cloud produces bad weather like thunderstorms –Cirrocumulus Cirrocumulus –Cumulonimbus Cumulonimbus –Altocumulus Altocumulus –Stratocumulus Stratocumulus

21. Post-Test Answer 1  Cumulus Clouds are vertically developing—that means they grow up into the sky from a flat base  They are usually white and can be seen during periods of fair weather Correct!!! Click here to go to Question 2 Click here to go to Question 2

22. Post-Test Answer 2  The word “stratus” actually means “layer” in Latin  They are low-altitude clouds Correct!!! Click here to go to Question 3 Click here to go to Question 3

23. Post-Test Answer 3  Cirrus clouds are high altitude  They resemble streamers  They indicate fair weather Correct!!! Click here to go to Question 4 Click here to go to Question 4

24. Post-Test Answer 4  Cumulonimbus are bad-weather clouds –Remember that “nimbus” means rain in Latin Correct!!! Click here to finish this presentation Click here to finish this presentation

25. Post-Test Answer 1 Sorry…Try again Click on the cloud to go back to Question 1

26. Post-Test Answer 2 Sorry…Try again Click the cloud to go back to Question 2

27. Post-Test Answer 3 Sorry…Try again Click the cloud to go back to Question 3

28. Post-Test Answer 4 Sorry…Try again Click the cloud to go back to Question 4

29. Credits  Information from: –http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloud3.html http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloud3.html  This was my favorite website for getting cloud information! –http://www.2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldt yp/home.rxml http://www.2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldt yp/home.rxmlhttp://www.2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldt yp/home.rxml  Pictures from: –http://www.hnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/education/se/e arth_water_cycle.jpg http://www.hnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/education/se/e arth_water_cycle.jpghttp://www.hnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/education/se/e arth_water_cycle.jpg –http://www.capetownskies.com/7032/06_cumulus_tm_tr eesc.jpg http://www.capetownskies.com/7032/06_cumulus_tm_tr eesc.jpghttp://www.capetownskies.com/7032/06_cumulus_tm_tr eesc.jpg  Copyright 2004, Gordon –http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/fucutly/ritter/images/atmopher e/clouds/stratus_NOAA_wea02047.jpg http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/fucutly/ritter/images/atmopher e/clouds/stratus_NOAA_wea02047.jpghttp://www.uwsp.edu/geo/fucutly/ritter/images/atmopher e/clouds/stratus_NOAA_wea02047.jpg

30. Credits continued…  Pictures from: –http://www.davidadamsonline.com/images/cirru s_example.jpg http://www.davidadamsonline.com/images/cirru s_example.jpghttp://www.davidadamsonline.com/images/cirru s_example.jpg –http://www.bigelow.org/virutal/handson/cirrus.gif http://www.bigelow.org/virutal/handson/cirrus.gif –http://www.weatherworks.com/cool_clouds_poll/ cumulus.jpg http://www.weatherworks.com/cool_clouds_poll/ cumulus.jpghttp://www.weatherworks.com/cool_clouds_poll/ cumulus.jpg –http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/c mmap/education.html http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/c mmap/education.htmlhttp://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/c mmap/education.html –http://www.davidadamsonline.com/images.cloud _nimbostratus_thumbnail.jpg http://www.davidadamsonline.com/images.cloud _nimbostratus_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.davidadamsonline.com/images.cloud _nimbostratus_thumbnail.jpg

31. The End Congratulations! You finished this lesson on cloud formations.