High Clouds (16,500-45,000 feet) Altocumulus clouds
have several patchy white or gray layers,
Cirrus clouds and seem to be made up of many small
are delicate, feathery clouds that are rows of fluffy ripples. They are lower than
made mostly of ice crystals. Their wispy cirrus clouds, but still quite high. They are
shape comes from wind currents which made of liquid water, but they don’t often
twist and spread the ice crystals into produce rain.
strands.
Weather prediction: A change is on its
Weather prediction: Fair
way!
Cirrostratus clouds
are thin, white clouds that cover the Altostratus clouds
whole sky like a veil. These clouds are are gray or blue-gray mid-level clouds
most commonly seen in the winter, and composed of ice crystals and water
can cause the appearance of a halo droplets. The clouds usually cover the
around the sun or the moon. entire sky.
Weather prediction: Be prepared for continuous
Weather prediction: Rain or snow will rain or snow!
arrive within 24 hours!
Cirrocumulus clouds Nimbostratus clouds
are thin, sometimes patchy, sheet-like are dark, gray clouds that seem to fade
clouds. They sometimes look like into falling rain or snow. They are so thick
they’re full of ripples or are made of that they often blot out the sunlight.
small grains.
Weather prediction: Gloomy with continuous rain
Weather prediction: Fair, but cold. or snow
However, if you live in a tropical
region, these clouds could be a sign of
an approaching hurricane!
Mid-level Clouds (6,500-23,000 feet)
Low Clouds (less than 6,500 feet)
Cumulus clouds
look like fluffy, white cotton balls in the
sky. They are beautiful in sunsets, and
their varying sizes and shapes can make
them fun to observe!
Weather prediction: Fair
Stratus cloud
often look like thin, white sheets covering
the whole sky. Since they are so thin, they
seldom produce much rain or snow.
Sometimes, in the mountains or hills,
these clouds appear to be fog.
Weather prediction: Fair, but gloomy
Evaporation: Liquid water
turns into water vapor and
rises into the atmosphere.
Condensation: Water vapor
Cumulonimbus clouds
grow on hot days when warm, wet air cools and condenses into
rises very high into the sky. From far clouds.
away, they look like huge mountains or
towers. Precipitation: Clouds release
Weather prediction: Look out for rain, hail, and water in the form of rain,
tornadoes!
snow, or hail back to the
Earth's surface.
Greenhouse effect
is the process through which heat is
trapped near Earth's surface by substances
known as 'greenhouse gases.
Imagine these gases as a cozy blanket
Stratocumulus clouds enveloping our planet, helping to maintain
are patchy gray or white clouds that often a warmer temperature than it would have
have a dark honeycomb-like appearance. otherwise.
Weather prediction: Fair weather for now, Greenhouse gases consist of carbon
but a storm might be on its way. dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide,
chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor.
Water vapor, which reacts to temperature
changes, is referred to as ‘feedback’,
because it amplifies the effect of forces
that initially caused the warming.
