CLOUDS PROJECT
Have you ever watched the clouds as they move across the sky? Some look like wavy fish scales,
some look like feathery "mares tails," and others look like thin sheets of gauze. In this project, you
are going to become proficient at observing the cloud patterns over a period of time and predicting
the weather from the clues they provide us.
The Task
Students observe the clouds overhead on a regular basis for seven days and classify them according
to their type. Create a Cloud Notebook containing seven days of observation of clouds in your area. Must Have at
Least 4 different types of clouds.
Procedure
1. Look up at the clouds in the sky
2. Observe the following:
1. Type of cloud(s)
2. Date
3. Associated Weather
4. Fill out Clouds Notebook Page (ONE FOR EACH DAY)
5. REAL Photograph of cloud (must be a developed picture, taped on to the paper. NO
PRINT OUTS!!!
6. ATTACH Receipt of developed pictures at end.
Example of clouds notebook
COVER PAGE
My Clouds Notebook
Name
Date
Period
Date: Nov. 9, 2010
Time: __:___
Location:___________________
Cirrus Clouds
Associated Weather: Cirrus generally occur in fair weather and point in the direction of air
movement at their elevation.
Clouds Notebook
Date :Year __ __ __ __ Month __ __ Day __ __
Local Time (Hour __ __ Minute __ __
Temperature ________°F
Humidity ________%
Cloud Observations: (Select the most prevalent cloud type at each level where clouds exist. Cloud Cover and Visual
Opacity must be determined for each level observed. Use the comment section for further descriptions.)

Clear Sky - No clouds observed (skip to the “Surface Cover” section)
Clouds Present - (continue to level(s) observed – don’t forget to count contrails if present)
High Level
Number of Persistent Contrails Present ______ Number of Short-Lived Contrails Present ______
Cloud Type:
Cirrus
Cirrocumulus
Cirrostratus
Cloud Cover: ______%
Clear (0-5%)
Partly Cloudy (5% - 50%)
Mostly Cloudy (50% - 95%)
Overcast (95% - 100%)
Visual Opacity:
Opaque
Translucent
Transparent
Mid Level
Cloud Type:
Altostratus
Altocumulus
CloudCover:
Cover:______%
Cloud
Visual Opacity:
Clear
Clear(0-5%)
(0-5%)

Partly
PartlyCloudy
Cloudy(5%
(5%- -50%)
50%)

Mostly
MostlyCloudy
Cloudy(50%
(50%- -95%)
95%)

Overcast
Overcast(95%
(95%- -100%)
100%)

Opaque
Translucent
Transparent
Low Level
Cloud Type:
Cloud
Cover:
Fog Stratus
Cloud
Cover:
______%

Clear
(0-5%)
Nimbostratus Cumulus
Clear (0-5%)
Cloudy
- 50%)
Cumulonimbus Stratocumulus 
PartlyPartly
Cloudy
(5% (5%
- 50%)
Mostly
Cloudy
- 95%)

Mostly
Cloudy
(50%(50%
- 95%)

Overcast
(95%
100%)
Overcast (95% - 100%)
Visual Opacity:
Opaque
Translucent
Transparent