Clouds Types and Weather Cloud Formation Formed when air is cooled and condensation occurs Cloud Types Cumulus (heap) Description Puffy, piled up Altitude Low or middle Weather Predicted Nice, sunny weather Stratus (layered) Description Light gray, covers sky, puffy, layered Altitude Low Weather Predicted Hazy and sometimes drizzly Nimbostratus (rain, layered) Description Flattened with layers, very dark gray, covers sky Altitude Low Weather Predicted Long, hard rains Altocumulus (high, heap) Description Layers of cotton balls, puffy Altitude Middle to high Weather Predicted May bring rain or snow On a warm day, thunderstorms later Cirrus (curl) Description Wispy, curly, thin Altitude High Weather Predicted Nice at first, signal a change in the weather Cirrocumulus (thin, heap) Description Small layered puffs, fish scales Altitude High Weather Predicted Usually seen during winter Fair but cold weather Cumulonimbus (heap, rain) Description Anvil shaped, thunderhead Altitude Low to high Weather Predicted Thunderstorms and severe weather, sometimes tornadoes Cloud Type Concept Check! cumulonimbus cirrus altocumulus cumulus nimbostratus stratus cumulonimbus Sequencing Put in order Water vapor condenses on smoke, dust, salt, and other small particles suspended in the air The relative humidity of the air increases Warm air rises and cools Air eventually becomes saturated Millions of tiny drops of liquid water collect to form a cloud Sequencing Answer Warm air rises and cools The relative humidity of the air increases Air eventually becomes saturated Water vapor condenses on smoke, dust, salt, and other small particles suspended in the air Millions of tiny drops of liquid water collect to form a cloud