Clouds are classified and named according to their altitude
Clouds need water droplets, and or ice droplets, and dust (condensation nuclei) to form!
Cirrus- means_________________. They are feathery or wispy
Where do they form? Circle one (high, medium, low) altitude
What weather is associated with cirrus?________________________________________
Draw a cirrus cloud.
Cumulus means ______________________________.
Explain where they form and how they can be in all 3 altitude categories (low, medium, high)
What weather is associated with cumulus?_________________________________________
Draw a cumulus cloud.
Stratus
Stratus means _____________________________________.
Where can they form? Circle all that apply (high, medium, low)
What weather is associated with stratus?________________________________________________
Draw a stratus cloud.
Other prefixes and suffixes for clouds
Nimbo or Nimbus –clouds that produce precipitation contain these
Alto – clouds that form at medium altitude contain the prefix alto.
Describe the characteristics of the following clouds by looking only at the name. Include appearance, weather for each, and what altitude they can be found in (high, medium, low)
1.
Cumulonimbus-
2.
Altostratus-
3.
Nimbostratus-
4.
Cirrostratus-
5.
Altocumulus-
Extend and enrich
Why is a large cloud more likely to produce precipitation than a small cloud?