Clearing up some CLOUDY ideas…
Name______________Hr.____
Go to http://www.howstuffworks.com/cloud.htm/printable for ‘cloudy’ thoughts!
1. Use the table below to organize some info about the four main types of clouds
A good to know thing about
Main Cloud Types
Name means…
this type of clouds…
1.
2.
3.
4.
2. Clouds are usually described by their altitude (how high they are). Describe what you, as a
meteorologist, should know about EACH of the different level groups of clouds. Include examples
and descriptions of the layer so that if altitude readings weren’t available, you’d still be able to
determine the group the clouds you see are in.
a. High-level Clouds:_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
b. Mid-level Clouds:______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
c. Low-level Clouds:______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
d. Vertically-developed Clouds:_____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. How do clouds form? Explain this question in 30 words or less! _________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the connection between clouds AND evaporation & condensation? ________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. “Once a cloud, Always a cloud.” Is this statement true or false & WHY?
(aka: can clouds change
type/group-level? How, why, or why not? )
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
6. “Cloudy with a chance of rain, sleet, snow, hail…” How do we get what’s up there to fall down here
in terms of precipitation? Use a brief explanation or a simple labeled sketch.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Cloud Chart
Fill in the chart below using: http://windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/cloud_types.html
Cloud
Cirrus
Cirrocumulus
Cirrostratus
Altostratus
Altocumulus
Stratus
Stratocumulus
Nimbostratus
Cumulus
Cumulonimbus
Sketch of
Cloud
Altitude
Level
(High-, Mid-, Low-)
AKA or
other name
for cloud
Weather
associated
with this
cloud
Something
unique
about this
cloud