Chapter 10, Lesson
5Clouds
and Precipitati
on
stratus cloudscirrus clouds
cumulus clouds
nimbus cloudsalto clouds
foghail sleet
nucleusovercast
clearscattered
clouds
stratus – Stratus clouds form in blanket-like layers. They hang low in the troposphere most of
the time.
cirrus – Cirrus clouds form at high altitudes and are made of
ice crystals. They are thin-looking, wispy clouds.
cumulus – puffy clouds. They appear flat at the bottom and they are in the middle of the
troposphere.
nimbus – if rain or snow falls from a cloud, you add “nimbo” or “nimbus” to a cloud’s name.
alto – “alto” means middle-level clouds. If you see “alto” in a
cloud’s name, you’ll find it in the middle of the troposphere.
fog – a cloud at ground level.
hail – pellets or lumps of ice. Usually hail falls when it’s warm
outside. If you hear hail, a tornado might be nearby.
How is hail formed?
sleet – precipitation that freezes as it falls though air that is below
freezing in temperature.
How is sleet formed?First, let’s talk about snow!
How is sleet formed?Next, let’s talk about freezing rain!
NOW! How is sleet formed?
nucleus – the nucleus of a precipitation droplet is usually
dust in the atmosphere. Nucleus means “center.”
overcast – the skies are completely covered with clouds.
Weather station model for overcast
skies.
clear – the skies are clear of clouds
Weather station model
for clear skies.
scattered clouds – clouds are scattered throughout the sky
Weather station model for scattered
clouds
partly cloudy – the sky is about half clouds and half
clear
Weather station model
for partly cloudy
mostly cloudy – it’s almost overcast; very little blue sky is
showing
Weather station model
for mostly