1. Bellringer – Match the layer of the atmosphere with its description
Exosphere
Mesosphere
Stratosphere
Thermosphere
Troposphere
Contains the ozone layer
Closest layer to Earth’s surface
Coldest temperatures
Extends into outer space
Very hot layer

2. Atmospheric Moisture

3. Humidity Humidity – the amount of water vapor in the air
Maximum Saturation – the most water vapor the air can hold

4. Humidity
Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air, which is why the summer tends to be more humid than the winter

5. Humidity
Relative Humidity – how much water vapor is in the air compared to how much water vapor the air is able to hold
Relative humidity = current humidity/maximum saturation
100% relative humidity means that the air is holding its maximum amount of water vapor (the air is at maximum saturation)

6. Humidity
Dew Point – the temperature when air becomes cool enough for water vapor to condense into liquid water
Condensation – gas  liquid (water vapor  liquid water)

7. Humidity
The higher the dew point, the higher the relative humidity for that day

8. Humidity Summary: As temperature increases, so does maximum saturation
Maximum saturation = 100% relative humidity
The higher the dew point, the higher the relative humidity

9. Review: Air contains water vapor
Air is warmed by Earth’s surface and rises. Air that is far away from Earth’s surface cools down and sinks.
This creates a convection current

10. Cloud Formation
When the warm air rises, water vapor in the air cools down
When the air reaches its dew point, the water vapor condenses into tiny water droplets

11. Cloud Formation
These droplets form around condensation nuclei, small dust particles in the air where cloud droplets can form
Millions of these tiny droplets join together to form clouds

12. Cloud Formation
Clouds – condensed water vapor (aka, tiny liquid water droplets) suspended in the atmosphere

13. Cloud Formation For a cloud to form, you must have 3 things:
Water vapor in the air
Dust particles for the droplets to form around (condensation nuclei)
A change of temperature or pressure (to create convection currents)

14. Types of Clouds
Clouds are characterized by their size, shape, and altitude (height)

15. Types of Clouds
Cirrus – thin, feathery clouds that form at high altitudes
Fair weather, but can be seen before rain or snow

16. Types of Clouds
Cumulus – white, puffy clouds usually on fair-weather days

17. Types of Clouds Stratus – low-lying layered sheets of clouds
“Cloudy” days (clouds all day, but usually little or no rain)

18. Types of Clouds
Nimbus – low-altitude, gray rain clouds

19. Types of Clouds
Other clouds are combinations of the main types of clouds

20. Types of Clouds
Cumulonimbus – storm clouds

21. Types of Clouds
Stratocumulus
Nimbostratus

22. Other Cloud Types
Cirrocumulus
Cirrostratus

23. Types of Clouds
Fog – clouds that form near the Earth’s surface

24. Types of Clouds

25. Rare Clouds

26. Precipitation
Coalescence – Cloud droplets colliding and joining together, making larger and larger droplets
Eventually, they become too heavy and fall to the ground as precipitation

27. Precipitation
Precipitation -- any moisture that falls from the atmosphere
Four main types of precipitation:
Rain
Snow
Sleet
Hail

28. Precipitation
Sleet -- pellets of ice formed when raindrops fall through freezing air

29. Precipitation
Hail – lumps made of layers of ice from cumulonimbus clouds

30. Precipitation
Hail forms from droplets in the cloud constantly melting and refreezing

31. The Clumsy Meteorologist
You are working with your tablemate
You will need coloring pencils, a glue stick, and 2 pairs of scissors
Draw the descriptions FIRST, then match the steps with the descriptions and put them in order
Raise your hand when you are ready to glue down your steps. I must approve it first.
CLEAN UP AND RECYCLE ALL PAPER! Return pencils, glue, and scissors back to the right place.
Turn in when done and complete vocab assignment

34. The Clumsy Meteorologist
If you finish, on a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph describing how a cloud forms. DO NOT JUST RESTATE THE STEPS FROM THE ACTIVITY. Discuss with your partner, and put it in your own words.