C LOUDS. WHAT IS A CLOUD? A collection of water droplets Why White? -They are white, because they reflect the color of the sun. Why Gray? – They are gray.

CLOUDS

WHAT IS A CLOUD?

A collection of water droplets

Why White? -They are white, because they reflect the color of the sun.

Why Gray? – They are gray when the sun is unable to shine through.

WHAT MAKES CLOUDS MOVE?

WIND On a windy day the

clouds will move with the wind.

Speed – Clouds can move up to speeds of 30-40 mph.

HOW IS FOG FORMED?

Fog is a cloud that is on the ground.

Fog is a result of warm air meeting cold air.

GROUPS OF CLOUDS

There are three groups of clouds.

High Clouds - Cirrus

Medium Clouds - Alto

Low Clouds - Cumulus

Clouds that grow verticalStratus

Special CloudsFog is a special

cloud.

TYPES OF HIGH-LEVEL CLOUDS

There are three types of high-level clouds:CirrusCirrostratusCirrocumulus

CIRRUS

Cirrus clouds are above 18,000 feet.

They are long and wispy.Usually mean good weather.

What does a cirrus cloud look like?

CIRROSTRATUS

Thin and sheet like.

Brings bad weather.

CIRROCUMULUS

Rows of long white puffs.

Look like fish scales.

In tropical regions.

TYPES OF MEDIUM-LEVEL CLOUDS

There are two types of medium-level clouds:

Altostratus

Altocumulus

Medium-level clouds are between 6,500 – 18,000 feet in the air.

ALTOSTRATUS

Are colored gray or blue-gray.

Covers the whole sky.

Appear before long periods of rain or snow.

ALTOCUMULUS

Are puffy and gray.

Usually bring thunderstorms.

TYPES OF LOW-LEVEL CLOUDS

There are three types of low-level clouds:

Stratus

Stratocumulus

Nimbostratus

Low-level clouds only go up to 6,500 feet in the air.

STRATUS CLOUDS

Stratus clouds cover the whole sky.

Looks like fog in the sky.

Brings light rain.

What does a stratus cloud look like?

STRATOCUMULUS

Are low, puffy, and gray.

Form in rows.

Can turn into a Nimbostratus cloud.

NIMBOSTRATUS

Are dark gray.

Associated with rain and/or snow.

Produce precipitation light to moderate.

CLOUDS THAT GROW VERTICAL

There are two types of clouds that grow vertical:

Cumulus

Cumulonimbus

Vertical means: (in this case) to grow upward.

CUMULUS CLOUDS

Cumulus clouds are big, white, and puffy.

They grow upward.

What does a cumulus cloud look like?

CUMULONIMBUS

Are anvil shaped. Winds blow the top of the cloud to make it flat.

Associated with severe weather.

The tip of the cloud points in the direction it is moving.