Chapter 10, Lesson 5 Clouds and Precipitation

1. stratus clouds cirrus clouds cumulus clouds nimbus clouds alto clouds fog hail sleet nucleus overcast clear scattered clouds Chapter 10, Lesson 5Clouds and Precipitation

2. stratus – Stratus clouds form in blanket-like layers. They hang low in the troposphere most of the time.

3. cirrus – Cirrus clouds form at high altitudes and are made of ice crystals. They are thin-looking, wispy clouds.

4. cumulus – puffy clouds. They appear flat at the bottom and they are in the middle of the troposphere.

5. nimbus – if rain or snow falls from a cloud, you add “nimbo” or “nimbus” to a cloud’s name. cumulonimbus nimbostratus

6. 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. altocumulus altostratus

7. fog – a cloud at ground level.

8. hail – pellets or lumps of ice. Usually hail falls when it’s warm outside. If you hear hail, a tornado might be nearby.

9. How is hail formed?

10. sleet – precipitation that freezes as it falls though air that is below freezing in temperature.

11. How is sleet formed?First, let’s talk about snow!

12. How is sleet formed?Next, let’s talk about freezing rain!

13. NOW! How is sleet formed?

14. nucleus – the nucleus of a precipitation droplet is usually dust in the atmosphere. Nucleus means “center.” atmospheric dust nucleus of a cell

15. overcast – the skies are completely covered with clouds. Weather station model for overcast skies.

16. clear – the skies are clear of clouds Weather station model for clear skies.

17. scattered clouds – clouds are scattered throughout the sky Weather station model for scattered clouds

18. partly cloudy – the sky is about half clouds and half clear Weather station model for partly cloudy

19. mostly cloudy – it’s almost overcast; very little blue sky is showing Weather station model for mostly