1. Clouds… They have names?

2. There are 3 General Types of Clouds Cirrus Stratus Cumulus

3. 1. Cirrus Clouds Made of ice crystals Thin and wispy clouds Never produce precipitation – but can predict it’s coming! Prefix in naming: “cirro”

4. 2. Stratus Clouds Clouds that are sheet-like or blanket the sky. Clouds that cover most of the sky Prefix in naming: “strato”

5. 3. Cumulus Clouds Fluffy, cotton ball shaped clouds Prefix in naming: “cumulo”

6. Naming Clouds We use prefixes/suffixes to name clouds “Nimbo” means cloud produces precipitation “Alto” means middle altitude cloud Example: Name a cloud that blankets the sky and produces precipitation

7. Cloud Families – they’re all related 1. High Clouds All have cirrus in their names Examples: Cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus

8. Cloud Families – they’re all related 2. Middle Clouds All have “alto” in their names Examples: Altocumulus and altostratus

9. Cloud Families – they’re all related 3. Low Clouds All are forms of stratus clouds Examples: Stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus

10. Cloud Families – they’re all related 4. Clouds of Vertical Development Clouds that form from rising air at a cold front Very tall, thick clouds Examples: Cumulus and cumulonimbus

11. Give me a name…pretty please!