Weekday Weather Lesson: Types of Clouds

In light of this very challenging time and with students out of the classroom, the Doppler 9&10 Weather Team wants to help bring weather lessons to you at home! Every week day Doppler 9&10 Meteorologist Haleigh Vaughn will highlight one weather topic. The lesson will be shared on The Four, and you can follow along at home with our Weather Worksheets! The answers will be provided within the related article.

If you are looking for another hands-on weather lesson, search for “Science with Samantha” on the 9&10 News website. You can also click on “The Four” link on the 9&10 News page.

Today’s lesson is … different types of clouds! Clouds come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. They are also related to different kinds of weather! One type of cloud might mean that rain is on the way, while another represents dry skies ahead.

But, how are clouds made? Clouds are created when water droplets attach themselves to tiny particles in the air. The particles can be little pieces of dust, dirt, or salt crystals from the ocean. The particles are very small in relation to the water droplets, so clouds are mostly made of water. In addition, the air needs to be at the correct temperature!

You might be wondering how there is water in the air, but we can’t see it. This is all done through evaporation! Have you ever noticed puddles of water on the ground after a big rainstorm? After some time the sun returns, and those puddles of water disappear. But, where did the water go? Part of the puddle goes into the ground, but the majority of the water turns into a gas. The sun adds energy to the water and air, and the water turns into a gas through evaporation.

The same thing happens to rivers, lakes, streams, and pools. There’s constantly liquid water turning into a gas state through evaporation. Once the right conditions are met in temperature and other atmospheric variables, condensation occurs! Clouds form due to condensation. You can see the various stages of water in the atmosphere in the water cycle. Eventually, some precipitation occurs, returning water to the ground.

Now we can talk about the different types of clouds! There are three levels of the atmosphere where meteorologists classify clouds. According to the National Weather Service, the three levels include: high-level clouds, mid-level clouds, and low-level clouds. The World Meteorological Organization’s International Cloud Atlas includes ten basic cloud types.

We’ll first begin with high-level clouds! The three high level clouds are Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, and Cirrostratus. (You might notice that all high-level clouds begin with Cirr-) High-level clouds are generally composed of ice crystals. According to UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education, the high-level clouds are 16,000 to 43,000 feet high in the atmosphere.

Cirrus clouds are very thin and hair-like. They are composed of tiny ice crystals. They resemble long, wispy streamers in the sky. According to UCAR Center for Science Education, they are commonly known as “mare’s tails” because they resemble a horse’s tail. These clouds are often seen in fair weather. However, if you notice them for a long time and they are followed Cirrostratus clouds, there may be a warm front on the way. There’s a picture of Cirrus clouds on the right.

 

The next high-level cloud in WMO’s International Cloud Atlas would be the Cirrocumulus clouds. The UCAR Center for Science Education describes them as, “small rounded puffs that usually appear in long rows high in the sky.” They tend to be white, but can sometimes have a gray tone. When these clouds cover a lot of the sky, they can look like the scales of a fish, which is it is called a “mackerel sky.” Cirrocumulus are common in winter and indicate fair, but cold, weather. You can see a photo of the Cirrocumulus clouds on the left.

The last high-level cloud is the Cirrostratus cloud. This cloud is also transparent, similar to most of the high-level clouds. They are hair-like and have a smooth appearance. When present, they tend to cover the entire sky. Something that is kind of fun with the Cirrostratus cloud is that it can create a halo appearance in the clouds when the sun or moon are present!

We’ll now transition to mid-level clouds. There are three mid-level clouds named Altocumulus, Altostratus, and Nimbostratus. Mid-level clouds are generally composed of water droplets, but they can be made of ice crystals when the temperatures are cold enough. According to UCAR Center for Science Education, the mid-level clouds are typically 7,000 to 23,000 feet high in the atmosphere.

The first mid-level cloud is called the Altocumulus cloud. They are typically recognized by their “sheet-like” or layered cloud appearance. They are typically white or gray in color. Altocumulus clouds are known to appear at various levels at the same time, and in association with other cloud types. A fun fact about the Altocumulus cloud is that if you see some on a warm, humid morning, there might be a thunderstorm by late afternoon! When an altocumulus cloud appears in front of the sun or moon, a corona appears.

The next cloud we’ll discuss is the Altostratus Cloud. These clouds tend to be slightly darker, with a gray or blue tint. They look like sheets of clouds, and typically cover the sky.  They are much thicker in nature than the clouds mentioned previously. You can still see the sun and moon through the Altostratus clouds, but they do not produce a halo effect. The clouds mask the sun enough to make it so that shadows are not visible on the ground. If you see Altostratus clouds, a storm with continuous rain or snow might be on its way. Rain or snow can fall from an Altostratus cloud, but if it hits the ground, then we’ve transitioned to our next cloud.

Our next cloud would be the Nimbostratus! The Nimbostratus cloud is associated with constant rain or snow. This cloud is dark gray in color, and is thick enough to block the sun out completely. This cloud base lowers as precipitation continues. Because of the lowering base, it is sometimes confused as a low-level cloud. However, Nimbostratus clouds can extend into the higher levels. It simply depends on conditions and if precipitation is occurring.

Last, but not least, are the low-level clouds. There are four low-level clouds which are named Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Status, and Cumulonimbus. They composed of water droplets. These clouds are typically between the surface up to about 7,000 feet in the atmosphere.

The Cumulus cloud are the typical “fluffy” clouds, resembling a cotton ball. They are generally dense, white clouds that occur due to daytime convection! Because of convection, they have some vertical growth. Depending on the time of day and other conditions, these clouds could be associated with rain showers or a fair weather day.

Next is the Cumulonimbus cloud. This cloud is the most popular! It is associated with thunderstorms. These clouds are very heavy and dense. They resemble a large mountain or tower, as they can reach very tall heights. Since they can reach tall heights, the high winds in the upper atmosphere can flatten the tops of the cloud. This is what creates the “anvil-like” shape at the top. It’s also because it is reaching the top of the troposphere, meeting a layer called the tropopause. This is the layer between the troposphere and stratosphere. At this height, there can be no more vertical motion, so it creates a cloud in an anvil-like shape.  Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and sometimes tornadoes.

The Stratocumulus cloud resembles a honeycomb appearance. They are low-level clouds that are “lumpy” and can sometimes line up in rows. Typically only light rain or drizzle can fall from the Stratocumulus cloud. If you’re wondering how to determine if the cloud you are looking at is a Stratocumulus or Altocumulus, simply hold up your fist. If the cloud is about the size of your fist, then it is a Stratocumulus.

The last low-level cloud is the Stratus cloud. They are generally gray and thick. They produce drizzle, ice crystals, and light snow. While the sun very rarely shows through these clouds, the sun’s outline is possible. It looks like fog that hasn’t reached the ground.

To follow along at home, you can fill out this ! Write your name and hometown, fill out the answers, and submit your work! You can email your worksheet to weather@9and10news.com. Your worksheet might just be shared on social media!