Clouds

BY: Melanie T., Mya C., Nasir S., and Diego R.

What are clouds?

Masses of tiny droplets of ice crystals or water dropletsPart of the water cycleClouds are made up of billions of water droplets or ice crystals and sometimes both.

How do clouds form?

Form when water vapor in the air condenses(CONDENSATION) When water vapor condenses ,it changes to liquid waterFormation starts when warm air rises (EVAPORATION)Warm air near Earth’s surface holds water vapor

CT. How do clouds form?

As warm air rises, it moves into the cooler parts of the atmosphereCool air cannot hold as much water vapor as warm airSome of the water vapor condenses around tiny pieces of dust in the airTiny droplets of liquid water form.If the air is very cold, the water vapor forms ice crystals

Average Weather

72ºF Average high weather for Jacksonville, NC47ºF Average low weather for Jacksonville, NC59ºF is the average weather for Jacksonville, NCThe average cloud for Jacksonville, NC is cumulus

Height range

Up to 6500 feet- stratusFrom 6500 ft. to 1800 ft.- cumulus1800 ft. or higher- cirrus

Today’s cloud: Green clouds (so

watch out for tornadoes)

Pick A Cloud

Stratus

CumulonimbusCumulus

Cirrostratus

Nimbostratus

Fog

Cirrus

Altostratus

Stratocumulus

Altocumulus

Questions!!

Cumulus

Puffyflat at bottomWhiteIndicate good weatherHigher than stratus but lower than cirrusOften spread outLarge spaces of blue sky in-betweenSometimes become big and dark (cumulonimbus

Cumulonimbus

Bring rain, thunder, and lighteningCan’t hold all their water dropletsThe rain drops are so heavy that they can turn in to Rain, Snow, or hailThe Clouds tall, puffy, and GrayOften call “Storm Clouds”

Nimbostratus Clouds

Nimbostratus clouds form at or below 6,000 feet. They are dark, low level clouds that bring light to moderately heavy precipitation, such as snow or rain. These clouds, although low in the atmosphere, may contain ice crystals when the temperatures get below the freezing point. Below nimbostratus clouds can lie broken up clouds that are called fractostratus clouds.

Altocumulus cloudsAltocumulus clouds are made of water droplets and appear as gray puffy masses. They usually form in groups. If you see altocumulus clouds on a warm, sticky morning, be prepared to see thunderstorms late in the afternoon.

StratusStratus clouds are uniformed layered clouds that are below 6,000 feet. They are formed in sheets and are usually associated with overcast weather. Fog or mist is the result of very low stratus clouds. They can form only a few hundred feet above ground. They are shallow but cover a large area, and they can bring precipitation. Stratus clouds are more known for drizzle than for precipitation, however. When heavier rain falls from them, their title is changed to nimbostratus clouds. Stratus clouds are formed when a weak upward air current lifts a thin layer of air high enough to start condensation of the excess water vapor if the air temperature falls below the dew point.

gray or multicolored gray appearance.

Altostratus Clouds

Altostratus clouds appear in altitudes of 6,000 to 20,000 feet. They are very thin and uniform, and are gray or blue-gray, creating overcast. They are translucent enough to see the sun or moon through them, however they do not allow enough light to make shadows on the Earth’s surface. Altostratus clouds are associated with coming rain, and they usually cover most, if not all, of the sky. Altostratus clouds are incapable of producing heavy precipitation, but they are often the cause of a light drizzle. Following altostratus clouds are nimbostratus clouds, which are the source of heavier precipitation.

Stratocumulus clouds

Stratocumulus clouds are low puffy gray clouds. Most form in rows with blue sky visible in between them. Rain rarely occurs with stratocumulus clouds, however, they can turn into nimbostratus clouds

Fog

Fog can be created when warm moist air is over cold ground or soil. Fog is a very dangerous thing on the road it can be a visibility of O%. Fog is not usaully counted as a cloud because of how it is created. Clouds are created by condensation and fog is created by warm moist air.

Cirrus

Cirrus look like wispy little feathers and are made from tiny ice crystalsCirrus clouds form when there is cool air in the atmosphere If you happen to see these clouds their may be a chanced that you will see rain in the next 48-72 hoursCirrus clouds are located about 600m or 20,00 ft in the airThese clouds usually move east to west

Cirrocumulus

Cirrocumulus clouds are small rounded cloudsThat are usally found around winterThese clouds usually have small ripples that represent fish scalesSome people have nicknamed these clouds “ mackerel sky clouds” These clods are in the sky about 500-1300ft in the airThey can come in shades of white or gray

CirrostratusCirrostratus is a milky color clod made out of ice crystals and it sometimes looks like a small halo appearance around the sun or moonWhen you see these clouds you can expect to see rain from 8-24 hoursAlthough you might see rain their may be a chance you’ll see snow These clouds allow the sun or moon to shine through them

Cloud Questions

Question’s!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are the 3 main types of clouds?

Question #1

1. Cirrus2. Cumulus3. Stratus

Question #2

Where do cirrus clouds form?

They form above 18,000 feet.

What do cumulus clouds indicate?

Fair weather

When you see cirrus clouds you know it will rain within ___ and __ hours

48 and 72 hours

Stratus

Nimbostratus

Altostratus

Draw a line from the word to a picture

Resources

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htmhttp://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNC0342Used notes/study guideCoach books pg. 65-68

Thank you for watchingDo good on the E.O.G.’s