Handout on Clouds

A cloud is a large collection of very tiny-droplets of water or ice crystals. The droplets are so small and light that they can float in the air. Clouds are classified according to how they are formed and where they are located in the sky. There are four main types of clouds.

The first type of cloud is called stratus clouds.

Stratus clouds are low, flat, gray clouds that cover the whole sky. They are the lowest clouds in the atmosphere, which means they are the closest clouds to Earth. They often bring little drizzles of rain with them, but the rain does not last very long. Stratus clouds look light gray in color and give the sky a dull look because they block sunlight.

Another main type of cloud is called cumulus clouds.

Cumulus clouds are puffy and white, like pieces of cotton. They are formed higher up in the atmosphere. They are bright white because the sun shines directly on them. When you see cumulus clouds in the sky, you know you are going to have fair weather.

Cirrus clouds are the third type of basic clouds.

Cirrus clouds are the highest clouds in the atmo.sphere. They are so high in the atmosphere that their water droplets freeze into ice crystals. Cirrus clouds are very thin clouds. They look very wispy, curly and feathery. They usually appear a few days before a storm and indicate that a storm is coming.

Cumulonimbus clouds are tall and thick.

They are thunderstorm clouds. High winds can flatten the top of the cloud into an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning and even tornadoes. The anvil usually points in the direction the storm is moving