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3.2 Identifying Cloud Types

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67 views1 page

3.2 Identifying Cloud Types

Uploaded by

jude
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Cloud Bubbly / Fluffy appearance Other sort of structure Flat with few features

Base
Cirrocumulus Cirrus Cirrostratus
Above 6,000 meters
HIGH

• They are made up of lots of very small white clouds • They are short, detached, hair like clouds.
and made up of ice crystals. • These type of clouds are very thin and
• They are delicate, wispy clouds and are whiter transparent
• They are regularly spaced and ‘ripple’ across the sky than any other cloud in the sky.
• They cover large areas of sky
• They often look ‘patchy’. • When the sun is setting or rising they may take on
the colours of the sunset. • They can produce coloured rings, spots or halos.
• Sun is visible. No rain.
• The sun is clearly visible but will create shadows.

Altocumulus How do identify different cloud types Altostratus


Use the photographs and bullet points to
help you identify the type of cloud in the sky.

Ask yourself these 3 questions for each type


2000 to 6,000 meters

of cloud:

1.Look at the cloud base (bottom of the


MEDIUM

cloud). Is the base high, medium orlow?


• These clouds come in layers and are featureless.
• Broken into smaller ‘patches’ of cloud. 2.Now look at its appearance. Is the cloud
fluffy, flat with few features, ordoes it have • They are thin cloud so you can see the sun weakly
• Often arranged in a regular pattern some other sort of structure? through them. – No shadows

• They look rounder than Cirrocumulus clouds. No rain 3.Is the rain falling or doesit seem very likely to • They often spread over very large areas.
or snow. fall?
Cumulus Stratocumulus Stratus
Below 2,000 meters
LOW

• A ‘typical’ cloud. They are small, and have a cotton • Most common cloud type. • These are the lowest lying cloud type.
wool / fluffy shape
• They look like cumulus clouds but are much • They are a light grey / white colour
• The base is usually dark. The top the clouds are very flatter.
white • They are very flat and spread out
• They usually have gaps in between them but can
• They often grow and group together. No rain is be joined together to cover the whole sky. • No sun is visible. Little / no rainfall
expected.
• Rainfall is very unlikely

• Cumulonimbus Nimbostratus
Rain is falling
LOW

• Known as thunderclouds. These clouds grow very tall


and look dark and grey. • Dark, grey featureless layers of cloud.

• The base of the cloud is often flat, with a darker “wall” • Thick layers which can block out the sun.
underneath
• Heavy rainfall for a longer period.
• Expect rain, thunder and lightning.

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