The Clouds! Three Basic Cloud Types Holly Smith William Penn Elementary 4th Grade Science Three Basic Cloud Types

Main Menu Cumulus Clouds Clouds and the Water Cycle Three Basic Cloud Types Elevation and Clouds Stratus Clouds Cirrus Clouds Elevation and Cumulus clouds Elevation and Stratus Clouds Elevation and Cirrus Clouds Rain Clouds!

Clouds and the Water Cycle Clouds are a part of the Water Cycle. When water evaporates and turns into a gas, it rises in to the atmosphere as a cloud. Up there it cools, forming droplets of water which form clouds. The water falls again as rain, snow, hail, or sleet when the concentration of droplets becomes too great. What kinds of clouds are there? And how do they affect the weather? Main Menu

Three basic cloud types Cumulus Stratus Cirrus Main Menu

Cumulus Clouds… Cumulus clouds are large, thick, and puffy. They often look white with grey centers. Cumulus clouds are usually flat on the bottom and pile up to look like a dome. These clouds often form on hot summer days. Sometimes they turn into thunderclouds and thunderheads. When this happens, rain or thunderstorms may occur. Main Menu

Stratus Clouds… Stratus clouds form close to Earth’s surface. They can hold a lot of moisture, and they spread across the sky in flat, gray layers. Main Menu

Cirrus Clouds… Cirrus clouds are made of tiny ice crystals. They are thin and white with feathery edges. They are the highest clouds in the sky. You can see them when the weather is cool and dry. Main Menu

Elevation and Clouds… The elevation of the clouds (how high clouds are in the sky) also effects the weather. Main Menu

Elevation and Cumulus Clouds If Cumulus clouds are low in the sky (0-3km above the ground) then they are called “fair weather” clouds and will bring no rain. However, if cumulus clouds are at medium elevation (3-7km) then they swell up into an anvil-shape, turn dark, and release rain to the ground. Main Menu

Elevation and Stratus Clouds Stratus clouds typically occur close to the ground and are the cause of fog. Stratus clouds mean precipitation, so don’t forget your umbrella! Main Menu

Elevation and Cirrus Clouds Cirrus clouds form high in the sky (>7km). These clouds may release super cooled air crystals that usually evaporate before reaching the ground, but are still considered rain clouds because they produce precipitation. Main Menu

Rain Clouds! So remember: stratus clouds low in elevation, cumulus in the middle, and cirrus clouds way up high mean rain (or snow) and all the other clouds are another story. Main Menu