Elements of Weather, Clouds, and Cloud Formations

Clouds

I can classify clouds by their shape and height.

I can describe and predict weather conditions based on cloud types.

CLOUDS!

• Clouds form when water vapor condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals.

• After clouds form, the tiny water droplets or ice crystals keep combining.

• When the water drops or ice crystals become too heavy, they fall to Earth as a form of precipitation.

Multiple Select

CLICK ALL THAT ARE TRUE!

Precipitation is when water falls to the earth as...

• Rain

• Snow

• Hail

• Rivers

FUN FACT!

All precipitation comes from clouds, but not all clouds make precipitation.

There are MANY types of clouds...

• They all form in the same way

• They all have different shapes

• They all have different heights in the sky.

• They are all related to a certain type of weather.

Poll

You can select more than one!

Which type of cloud have you heard of before?

• Stratus

• Cumulus

• Cumulonimbus

• Cirrus

• Fog

Stratus Clouds

Stratus Clouds

• Form at a low or medium elevation

• Spread out over large areas

• Layered, they look like a gray sheet covering the sky!

• If they become thicker, they can produce rain or snow

Multiple Choice

TRUE or FALSE

When stratus clouds become thicker, they can produce rain or snow.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus Clouds

• Form at low or medium elevations

• Puffy, white clouds with flat bottoms

• Seen during fair weather

• When they become darker, it could mean rain or a thunderstorm is coming!

Multiple Choice

What kind of weather is usually occurring when you see cumulus clouds?

• stormy weather

• fair weather

• windy weather

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Cumulonimbus Clouds

• These are cumulus clouds that have grown very tall

• Usually occur on hot, sunny days

• Also called thunderheads, because they usually bring thunderstorms and gusty winds

Open Ended

Why are cumulonimbus clouds also called thunderheads?

Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus Clouds

• Form at high elevations, more than 3 miles up where it is VERY cold!

• Formed from ice crystals

• Thin, wispy clouds that can look like streamers or feathers

• Seen during fair weather

• Signal an approaching warm front

Multiple Choice

What are cirrus clouds formed from?

• water droplets

• ice crystals

Cirrus Uncinus

​Another type of cirrus cloud is called a cirrus uncinus cloud.

​

• ​The clouds occur at very high altitudes.

• ​They are also known as mares tail because of their likeness to horse tails.