Clouds

Warm up question:Why do you think Mexico City is colder than the surrounding cities?

In your agendaWrite:Meteorology Test on Thursday March 8Earth Science Rocks!MYP Unit Question: What should I wear today?Area of Interaction: Environment

Learner Profile: Communicator

Earth Science Rocks!Standard: Understand how the distribution of land and oceans affect climate and weather

Learning Target: Today I am learning how the condition of the atmosphere creates clouds because it affects weather.

Activating StrategyCooling air to its dewpointthe temperature where air becomes saturated and condensation occurs.

CloudsClouds form at different altitudes

Recipe for a cloudCool water vapor to its dewpoint.Add particles. Water vapor in the air changes into liquid or ice crystals (aka)

Watch a cloud form!

Low Altitude CloudsMost often composed of water dropletsTwo main typesCumulusCumulus means heap, like a pilepuffyIndicate fair weather

CumulonimbusThunderclouds! May produce rain, hail, lightning, thunder & tornadoesTall, dark and very puffy and large (billowing)

Another low altitude cloudStratusStratus means spread out, forming in layers like a blanket or sheetLowest of the cloudsNimbo-stratus has steady rain, snow or drizzle

FogForms when the ground cools at night after a warm, humid day. The ground cools the air just about the ground to the airs dew pointThen the heat of the morning sun burns off the fog as its water droplets evaporate

Middle Altitude CloudsMay contain ice crystals and/or water dropletsAssociated with light precipitationAltocumulus

Altostratus

High Altitude CloudsCirrusMainly composed of ice crystalsThin and wispyFair now, but a storm is on its way

Other CloudsMammatusNamed after mammary glands of animalsUnstable atmosphereIndicator of impending severe weather!!

ContrailsShort for condensation trailsForm from the vapor from a jet engines exhaust.The vapor condenses into ice crystals from the cold temperatures at high altitudes

Clouds and Severe Weather Scrapbook PageMust HavesCumulonimbus CloudHailTornadoHurricane ( also label the eye)Cumulus cloudsCirrus cloudsStratus cloudsYour ChoiceFujita ScaleLightningEl Nino diagramsFogContrailsMammutus cloudsAltocumulus cloudsLets make a Cloud!!Recipe for a cloud:Ingredients: water vapor, particles, cooling airDirections: Start with warm air.Add particlesCool air to its dewpoint (the temperature where condensation happens)Enjoy a lovely cloud!