1. Do You Know Your Clouds?
© Copyright 2010.  M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.

2. Do you know the cloud root words?
Cumulus means heap
Stratus means layer
Cirrus means curl of hair
Nimbus means rain

3. 1st Type of Cloud High-Level Clouds
Form above 20,000 ft
Composed of ice crystals
Usually are thin and white
Cirrus and Cirrostratus

4. Cirrus An ice crystal cloud showing filaments of ice crystals
Cirrus Family
Abbrev: Ci
Associated with
fair weather

5. Cirrostratus High level veil of ice crystal cloud
Frequently produces a halo around the sun or moon
Cirrus Family
Abbrev: Cs
Associated with precipitation.

6. Cirrocumulus High level cloud. Abbrev: Cc
Associated with fair, but cold weather.

7. 2nd Type of Cloud Mid-Level Clouds
Appear between 6,500 ft. to 20,000 ft.
Composed mostly of water droplets, but can be ice crystals if cold enough
Altocumulus and Altostratus

8. Altocumulus Layered cloud with globular structure
Sometimes called "buttermilk sky”
Heap Family
Abbrev: Ac
Associated with storms.

9. Altostratus Thickly layered water- droplet cloud
Sun's disk diffused as if viewed through a sheer curtain
Ice crystals if cold enough
Stratus Family
Abbrev: As
Associated with storms.

10. 3rd Type of Cloud Low-Level Clouds
Generally below 6,500 ft.
Composed mostly of water droplets
Nimbostratus, Stratocumulus and Stratus

11. Stratus Low-lying formless sheet Called FOG when base lies on ground
Stratus Family
Abbrev: St
Associated with precipitation.

12. Nimbostratus Generally formless mass of low storm clouds
Associated with continuous rainfall or snowfall
Layer Family
Abbrev: Ns
Associated with precipitation.

13. Stratocumulus Low layered cloud with bumpy, heap-like structure
Heap/Layer Family
Abbrev: Sc
Associated with precipitation.

14. 4th Type of Cloud Vertically Developed Clouds
These clouds can grow to heights in excess of 39,000 ft.
They release incredible amounts of energy through condensation
Can spawn tornadoes and hailstorms

15. Cumulonimbus A massive pile of clouds penetrating the freezing level
Sometimes forms an anvil at the base of the stratosphere
Cumulus Family
Abbrev: Cb
Associated with storms.

16. Cumulus Small heaps of clouds with flattish bottoms and rounded tops
Called “Fair Weather” Cloud
Cumulus Family
Abbrev: Cu
Associated with fair weather.

17. 5th Type of Clouds The Precipitation Clouds
Two clouds can be grouped together
Nimbostratus, Ns
Cumulonimbus, Cb

18. Do You Know Your Clouds? #1

19. #1: Stratocumulus
layers with heaps

20. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#2:

21. #2: Cirrus
icy curls high in the sky

22. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#3:

23. #3: Stratus
low thin sheets

24. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#4:

25. #4: Altostratus
thick billowy layers

26. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#5:

27. #5: Cirrocumulus
high layered small heaps

28. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#6:

29. #6: Altocumulus
layered with evidence of billows

30. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#7:

31. #7: Cumulonimbus
vertical towers of rain clouds

32. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#8:

33. #8: Cirrostratus
high sheet-like veil

34. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#9:

35. #9: Nimbostratus
thick layers of rain

36. Do You Know Your Clouds?
#10:

37. #10: Cumulus
widely spaced small cloud masses

38. Do You Know Your Clouds? The End
© Copyright 2010.  M. J. Krech. All rights reserved.