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Predicting Weather By Observing Cloud Types

Predicting Weather By Observing Cloud Types. Physical Science Santa Fe South High School Spring 2002. Types of Clouds. There are ten major types of clouds that can be observed.

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Predicting Weather By Observing Cloud Types

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  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

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