Predicting Weather By Observing Cloud Types

1. Predicting Weather By Observing Cloud Types Physical Science Santa Fe South High School Spring 2002

2. Types of Clouds • There are ten major types of clouds that can be observed. • During this presentation, on your lab guide write down each type of cloud, what its name means, its characteristics, and the type of weather associated with it.

3. Cloud Names • Cloud names are derived from Latin words with various meanings. • Cumulus means “heap.” • Stratus means “layer.” • Cirrus means “wispy or curly hair.” • Nimbus means “rain.”

4. Cloud Names • Using these names, cloud types can be combined together to describe the weather associated with them • For example, nimbostratus clouds are found in layers and are associated with rain.

5. Observing Cloud Types!!! • Clouds can be classified into three categories based on their altitudes, or height in the atmosphere. • HIGH ALTITUDE clouds have the prefix cirro. • MEDIUM ALTITUDE clouds have the prefix alto. • LOW ALTITUDE clouds have the prefix strato.

6. Cirrocumulus • High clouds with puffy, patchy appearance, with small spaces between clouds. Often form wave like patterns

7. Cirrocumulus

8. Cirrostratus • High clouds, light grey or white, often thin with the sun or moon seen through them. Usually covers much of the sky.

9. Cirrostratus

10. Cirrus • High clouds, thin wispy and feathery, composed of ice crystals

11. Cirrus

12. Altocumulus • Middle clouds with puffy, patchy appearance, usually with spaces between clouds.

13. Altocumulus

14. Altostratus • Middle clouds, light grey and uniform in appearance, generally covering most of the sky.

15. Altostratus

16. Cumulus • Low clouds. Clouds appear puffy and look like cotton wool, or cauliflower's.

17. Cumulus

18. Stratus • Low clouds, light or dark grey and generally uniform in appearance and cover most of the sky. Fog can be a stratus cloud.

19. Stratus

20. Stratocumulus • Low clouds with irregular masses of clouds, rolling or puffy in appearance, sometimes with space in between the clouds.

21. Stratocumulus

22. Nimbostratus • Low and middle dark grey clouds, with precipitation falling from them. The cloud base is sometimes difficult to see because of falling rain.

23. Nimbostratus

24. Cumulonimbus • Large clouds with dark bases, and very tall. Can be accompanied by thunder, and they are sometimes an anvil shape.

25. Cumulonimbus

26. Identifying Weather • Get into groups of four. • Use the notes you took on your lab guide to identify the type of weather associated with the cloud in each picture in your group. • Each group will make five predictions. You will be given two minutes to finalize each of your answers.

27. Unknown #1

28. Unknown #2

29. Unknown #3

30. Unknown #4

31. Unknown #5

32. Unknown #1 Identification • Cirrocumulus • High altitude • Forms wave pattern • Has small puffy clouds associated • FAIR WEATHER

33. Unknown #2 Identification • Cumulus • Mid altitude • Large puffy clouds • Clouds are separated from each other • FAIR WEATHER

34. Unknown #3 Identification • Cumulonimbus • Mid to high altitude • Has anvil shape • Dark base • STORMY WEATHER

35. Unknown #4 Identification • Stratus • Layers of connected clouds • Dark grey • Uniform in appearance • RAINY WEATHER

36. Unknown #5 Identification • Stratocumulus • Low altitude • Puffy in appearance • Spaced between the different layers • FAIR WEATHER

37. Predicting Weather • In today’s activities, we have seen that weather can be predicted by observing different cloud types. • What are some drawbacks to predicting weather using this method of forecasting?

38. Modern Weather Forecasting • Today’s meteorologists use different methods to predict the weather. They use computer models that show: • Atmospheric pressure changes • Wind speed and direction • Temperature • Precipitation

39. Modern Weather Forecasting

40. Modern Weather Forecasting

41. Modern Weather Forecasting Humidity

42. Modern Weather Forecasting

43. Modern Weather Forecasting