Cloud Types

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Cloud Types And How to Identify Them!
Click the clouds above to begin!
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Learning Goals

• Students will be able to recognize the different
  cloud types by their photograph.
• Students will be able to recognize the different
  cloud types by their description.
• Students will understand and precipitation
  associated with the clouds.
• Students will be able to identify clouds in real
  life.

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Would you like to view the CLOUD IDENTIFICATION
tutorial before we begin?
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Clouds are identified based on three
characteristics. Click on each characteristic
below to learn more!
Cloud Shape
Cloud Altitude
Weather
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Cloud Altitude
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Cloud Shape
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Stratus shaped clouds are layered in appearance.
Cirrus shaped clouds are thin and wispy
Cumulus shaped clouds are puffy in appearance.
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Weather Clouds Produce
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Main Menu
High Altitude Clouds Mid Altitude Clouds Low
Altitude Clouds Vertically Developed
Clouds Take the Quiz!
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High Altitude Clouds
Cirrus Cirrocumulus Cirrostratus


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Mid Altitude Clouds
Altocumulus Altostratus
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Low Altitude Clouds
Stratus Stratocumulus Nimbostratus
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Vertically Developed Clouds
Cumulus Cumulonimbus
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Ready to Take the Quiz?
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Cirrus

• High Altitude
• Description Thin, wispy, ghostlike. Often small
  areas in a mostly blue sky.
• Weather Indicated Fair weather.

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Cirrus Clouds
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Cirrocumulus

• High Altitude
• Description Small puffs packed tightly together.
  Called a Mackerel Sky because it resembles fish
  scales.
• Weather Indicated Rain within 24-48 hours.

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Cirrocumulus Clouds
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Cirrostratus

• High Altitude
• Description Covers the sky in poorly defined
  sheets or layers.
• Weather Indicated Approaching warm front.

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Cirrostratus Clouds
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Altocumulus

• Mid Altitude
• Description Scattered, puffy clouds that are
  small in diameter.
• Weather Indicated Fair weather.

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Altocumulus Clouds
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Altostratus

• Mid Altitude
• Description Semi-uniform coverage of the sky in
  layers.
• Weather Indicated Precipitation likely within 24
  hours.

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Altostratus Clouds
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Stratus

• Low Altitude
• Description Lowest of all the clouds, usually
  blankets the sky, often gray in color.
• Weather Indicated Precipitation likely within 12
  hours, or precipitation recently past.

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Stratus Clouds
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Stratocumulus

• Low Altitude
• Description Appear as drawn out puffy clouds,
  usually grouped together. Often shows rolling
  dark and light appearance.
• Weather Indicated Warm front approaching.

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Stratocumulus Clouds
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Nimbostratus

• Low Altitude
• Description Dark gray, covers the sky. Produces
  precipitation.
• Weather Indicated Precipitation occurring.

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Nimbostratus Clouds
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Cumulus

• Vertically Developed
• Description Large, puffy, white clouds that
  resemble popcorn.
• Weather Indicated Fair weather.

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Cumulus Clouds
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Cumulonimbus

• Vertically Developed
• Description Towering, often dark, puffy clouds
  that reach high into the sky. Often flat on top.
• Weather Indicated Thunderstorms, severe weather.

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Cumulonimbus Clouds
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