1. Four Cloud Types Study Guide WEATHER TERMS Weather Tools CIRRUS
Weather (SOL 4.6) Grade 4
Created by Jennie M. Carr – Rockingham County Public Schools – Revised by J. Segerson and J. Copeland – Loudoun County Public Schools
WEATHER TERMS
Temperature - The measure of the amount of heat energy in the atmosphere. It is measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit
Air Pressure - The weight of the air, which is determined by several factors including the temperature. Low pressure signals stormy weather
Wind: the movement of air. Wind Speed is how fast the wind is blowing. It is measured in miles per hour. Air moves from an area of HIGH pressure to an area of LOW pressure
Precipitation - The amount of water, which falls from the sky.
Can be in the form of snow, sleet, hail or rain. Collects in clouds
Humidity – The amount of moisture or water vapor in the air.
HIGH humidity means a greater chance of precipitation
Weather Tools
Thermometer measures Temperature
Barometer measures Air Pressure
Anemometer measures Wind Speed
Rain Gauge measures Precipitation
Wind Vane measures Wind Direction
Hygrometer measures Humidity
Low Pressure: usually brings clouds, rain, and wind; formed when air is warmed.
High Pressure: usually brings dry, clear conditions; formed when air is cooled.
BE ABLE to identify and explain
the steps of the Water Cycle
CIRRUS .
CUMULONIMBUS
Dark, tall, billowing cloud that produces rain and thunderstorms.
Most common high cloud.
Thin, feathery , wispy clouds
Associated with fair weather
Four Cloud Types
STRATUS
Gray, smooth cloud, sheetlike
Covers whole sky blocks all sunlight.
Light rain or drizzle usually occur.
FOG is example
CUMULUS
White, fluffy cloud, cottonball
Flat bottom that rises up.
Usually indicating fair weather.

2. A dark, tall, billowing cloud that produces rain and thunderstorms.
Study Guide
Weather (SOL 4.6) Grade 4
Created by Jennie M. Carr – Rockingham County Public Schools – Revised by J. Segerson and J. Copeland – Loudoun County Public Schools
WEATHER TERMS
Temperature - The measure of the amount of heat energy in the atmosphere.
Air Pressure - The weight of the air, which is determined by several factors including the temperature.
Wind Speed – How fast the wind is blowing.
Precipitation - The amount of water, which falls from the sky.
Wind Direction - The direction in which the wind blows.
Humidity – The amount of moisture in the air.
Weather Tools
Thermometer measures Temperature
Barometer measures Air Pressure
Anemometer measures Wind Speed
Rain Gauge measures Precipitation
Wind Vane measures Wind Direction
Hygrometer measures Humidity F R O N T
Air Mass
Air Mass
A meteorologist uses weather instruments and data to predict weather patterns.
A front is a boundary between air masses of different temperature and humidity.
A cold front is formed when a cold air mass pushes into a warm air mass; may produce thunderstorms.
A warm front is formed when a warm air mass pushes into a cold air mass; may produce light rain.
Different atmospheric conditions produce the four types of precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
Low Pressure: usually brings clouds, rain, and wind; formed when air is warmed.
High Pressure: usually brings dry, clear conditions; formed when air is cooled.
CIRRUS
A feathery cloud, usually associated with fair weather, but often indicates rain or snowfall in several hours.
Four Cloud Types
CUMULONIMBUS
A dark, tall, billowing cloud that produces rain and thunderstorms.
STRATUS
A gray, smooth cloud that covers the whole sky and blocks all sunlight. Light rain and drizzle usually occur.
CUMULUS
A white, fluffy cloud with a flat bottom usually indicating fair weather.
EXTREME atmospheric conditions create a variety of storms:
Thunderstorm:
A common storm with winds,
rain, thunder, and lightning.
Hurricane:
A storm which forms over
water with heavy winds.
Tornado:
A violent storm with a
rotating column of air.