Clouds are made of tiny drops of water or ice.

Precipitation

When drops get big and heavy,

they fall from the clouds as precipitation.

Precipitation is rain, snow, or hail.

EvaporationWhen water evaporates it turns into water vapor.

CondensationWater vapor condenses into tiny droplets.

The droplets form clouds.

Four Types of Four Types of CloudsClouds

•CirrusCirrus

•StratusStratus

•CumulusCumulus

•CumulonimbuCumulonimbuss

StratusStratus

Low in the skyLow in the sky GrayGray Looks like a blanketLooks like a blanket Looks like a fat stickLooks like a fat stick Nicknamed high fogsNicknamed high fogs

StratusStratus

StratusStratus

CC uu mm uu ll uu ss•In the middle of the In the middle of the

sky sky

•White and puffyWhite and puffy

•Change shapes oftenChange shapes often

•Flat bottomsFlat bottoms

•Looks like cauliflowerLooks like cauliflower

CumulusCumulus

CumulusCumulus

CirrusCirrus•Highest in the skyHighest in the sky

•WhiteWhite

•Feathery, whispyFeathery, whispy

•Nicknamed mares’ Nicknamed mares’ tailstails

CirrusCirrus

CirrusCirrus

CumulonimbusCumulonimbus

►Can cover all layers of the sky (low, middle and high)

►Dark ►Tall and fluffy►Thunderstorms come with these

clouds

Cumulonimbus

Cumulonimbus