A Field Guide to clouds
Due Date: _______________
Background
Clouds are piles of suspended water droplets. The shape and altitude of a cloud is an important indicator of the
current activity in the atmosphere. Clouds can also be used to make short term (24 hour) weather forecast. A
cloud chart is a handy reference that you will use to quickly identify a given cloud.
The Project/Chart
You will create a “Filed Guide to Cloud Identification” document using office publisher. Below is a list of
cloud names organized by altitude. Use your text, library resources and Internet sites and do the following for
each cloud name:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Come up with a picture of the cloud (Your own pictures, the Internet, etc) (1 point).
Describe what the name of the cloud means (1 point).
Describe any physical properties of the cloud. i.e. what the cloud looks like in words. (1 point).
Explain what the cloud indicates about the current weather or what short term forecast can be made with
it (1 point).
Here’s an example:
Cirrus



Cirrus is a word that means thin and wispy.
Cirrus clouds are thin, high level clouds that are formed by ice particles.
Cirrus occur in fair weather and point in the direction of air movement at their elevation.
List of Clouds
High clouds
Cirrus
Cirrostratus
Cirrocumulus
Middle Clouds
Altocumulus
Altostratus
Low Clouds
Nimbostratus
Stratus
Stratocumulus
Stratus fractus or scud
Vertical Development Clouds
Cumulus
Cumulus Congestus
Cumulonimbus
Fog
Radiation or ground fog
Advection fog
Upslope fog
Unusual Clouds
Lenticular clouds
Banner Clouds
Mammatus Clouds
Contrails
Wall cloud
Tornadoes
Roll cloud
Billow clouds
Pileous Clouds
Orographic
Sunlight phenomena
Sun dogs
Sun Pillar
Crepuscular Light
FMHS
Cloud watchers guide
Name: ________________________ Teacher: Mr. Osborn
Date : ___________________
Title of Work: ___________________
Criteria
1
2
Each cloud
type will have 9 or fewer clouds 19 to 10 clouds
have images
have images
a correct
image.
Accurately 9 or fewer cloud 19 to 10 cloud
names have
describe what names have their
meanings
their meanings
the name of
accurately
accurately
the cloud
xplained.
explained.
means.
Accurate
description of 9 or less clouds 19 to 10 clouds
have accurate have an accurate
the cloud or
descriptions.
description.
its physical
properties
Accurate
forecast
Points
3
4
28 to 20 clouds 35 to 29 clouds
have images
have images
____
20 to 28 cloud 29 to 35 cloud
names have
names have
their meanings their meanings
accurately
accurately
explained.
explained.
____
28 to 20 clouds 29 or more
have an
clouds have an
accurate
accurate
description
description.
____
28 to 20 clouds 29 or more
9 or fewer clouds 19 to 10 clouds
have an
clouds have an
have an accurate have an accurate
accurate
accurate
forecast written for forecast written
forecast written forecast written
them.
for them.
for them.
for them.
____
____
Total---->
____
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