Chapter 10, Lesson

5Clouds

and Precipitati

on

stratus cloudscirrus clouds

cumulus clouds

nimbus cloudsalto clouds

foghail sleet

nucleusovercast

clearscattered

clouds

stratus – Stratus clouds form in blanket-like layers. They hang low in the troposphere most of

the time.

cirrus – Cirrus clouds form at high altitudes and are made of

ice crystals. They are thin-looking, wispy clouds.

cumulus – puffy clouds. They appear flat at the bottom and they are in the middle of the

troposphere.

nimbus – if rain or snow falls from a cloud, you add “nimbo” or “nimbus” to a cloud’s name.

alto – “alto” means middle-level clouds. If you see “alto” in a

cloud’s name, you’ll find it in the middle of the troposphere.

fog – a cloud at ground level.

hail – pellets or lumps of ice. Usually hail falls when it’s warm

outside. If you hear hail, a tornado might be nearby.

How is hail formed?

sleet – precipitation that freezes as it falls though air that is below

freezing in temperature.

How is sleet formed?First, let’s talk about snow!

How is sleet formed?Next, let’s talk about freezing rain!

NOW! How is sleet formed?

nucleus – the nucleus of a precipitation droplet is usually

dust in the atmosphere. Nucleus means “center.”

overcast – the skies are completely covered with clouds.

Weather station model for overcast

skies.

clear – the skies are clear of clouds

Weather station model

for clear skies.

scattered clouds – clouds are scattered throughout the sky

Weather station model for scattered

clouds

partly cloudy – the sky is about half clouds and half

clear

Weather station model

for partly cloudy

mostly cloudy – it’s almost overcast; very little blue sky is

showing

Weather station model

for mostly