Clouds BrainPop

What is a cloud? It is a collection of millions of tiny water droplets or ice crystals. As water vapor rises and cools, it becomes saturated (full). It then condenses onto tiny dust or smoke particles as water droplet or ice. When there are millions of these, a cloud forms

Types of clouds Cumulus – fluffy Stratus – cover Cirrus - feathery

Cloud questions Why are clouds white? Clouds are white because they reflect the light of the sun. Clouds reflect all the colors the exact same amount so they look white (visible light). Why do clouds turn gray? If the clouds get thick enough or high enough all the light above does not make it through, hence the gray or dark look.

Cloud questions Why do clouds float? As long as the cloud and the air that it’s made of is warmer than the outside air around it, it floats!

Cumulus clouds Puffy white clouds Flat bottoms Usually fair weather clouds Cumulus: Latin word for a heap or a pile

Stratus clouds Form in layers Cover large areas Stratus: Latin word that means "to spread out."

Cirrus clouds Thin and feathery High altitudes May indicate bad weather is coming. Cirrus: Latin word for a tuft or curl of hair.

Classification of clouds We classify clouds not only by type (cumulus, stratus, cirrus) but also by form and altitude. Form (can be prefix or suffix) Nimbus/Nimbo means that precipitation might fall from the cloud. Altitude (these are all prefixes) Strato – low clouds Alto – middle clouds Cirro – high clouds

Classifying clouds You can add the prefix/suffix of form and altitude to the cloud type to classify the clouds more specifically. Examples: Cumulonimbus – thunderstorm producing cumulus cloud Altostratus – a middle level stratus cloud

More Examples Cirrostratus – a high level stratus cloud Stratocumulus – a low level cumulus cloud Nimbostratus – light rain producing stratus cloud