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 - Stratus Clouds that grow vertical Cumulus Special Clouds Fog is a special cloud.

Types of High-level Clouds There are three types of high- level clouds: Cirrus Cirrostratus Cirrocumulus

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 What does a stratus cloud look like? 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 What does a cumulus cloud look like? 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.

Review and Discuss Take 5 – 10 minutes to talk over with your desk partner about clouds and what you did and did not understand about them. Now ask teacher questions about your misunderstandings or which is your favorite cloud.

In Class Experiment Weather Wiz Kids After review there will be a in class experiment to have a hands on idea about clouds. Weather Wiz Kids

Homework The assignment is this worksheet: Clouds and What They Mean

Objective: The objective is to teach my students the general knowledge of clouds. That includes the different types and what each one does. Assessment: I will have the students do a worksheet that will test them on the different types of clouds. I will also create a test or quiz that will test them on the content of the power point. Also, if they can determine the differences between each of the different clouds.