Lesson plan: Head in the clouds - National Weather Service ...
Lesson plan: Head in the clouds - National Weather Service ...
Lesson plan: Head in the clouds - National Weather Service ...
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Predom<strong>in</strong>antly stratiform <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> form of relatively low<br />
gray and/or whitish<br />
layer, sheet or patch<br />
Cumulus<br />
Has vertical development<br />
that is noticeable. Looks<br />
like white fluffy balls of<br />
cotton wool. The flat<br />
cloud base, and its<br />
elevation will<br />
depend upon <strong>the</strong><br />
humidity. The<br />
more humid<br />
<strong>the</strong> air, <strong>the</strong><br />
lower <strong>the</strong><br />
cloud<br />
base.<br />
Stratocumulus<br />
Stratus<br />
development.<br />
Stratocumulus<br />
elements are<br />
often<br />
show<strong>in</strong>g little vertical<br />
The thunderstorm cloud<br />
that can grow to over 10<br />
miles high. Mature<br />
<strong>clouds</strong> are identified<br />
by <strong>the</strong> flat anvilshaped<br />
top.This<br />
flatten<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>dicates <strong>the</strong><br />
height of <strong>the</strong><br />
tropopause.<br />
Cumulonimbus<br />
bands or<br />
rolls.<br />
arranged <strong>in</strong><br />
Cirrus<br />
Appears as detached<br />
<strong>clouds</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> form of<br />
white, delicate<br />
filaments, or white, or<br />
mostly white<br />
Flat featureless <strong>clouds</strong> that<br />
are low to <strong>the</strong> ground.<br />
These <strong>clouds</strong> vary <strong>in</strong><br />
color from gray to<br />
white. Usually<br />
cover<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> whole<br />
sky. Stratus<br />
<strong>clouds</strong> also<br />
appear <strong>in</strong><br />
fragments<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
periods<br />
of<br />
ra<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Transparent or semitransparent,<br />
whitish cloud veil<br />
with hairlike or smooth<br />
appearance, totally or<br />
partially cover<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> sky, and often<br />
produc<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
partial or<br />
complete<br />
halo.<br />
patches or narrow<br />
bands. These<br />
<strong>clouds</strong> have a<br />
hair-like<br />
appearance,<br />
or a silky<br />
sheen,<br />
or<br />
both.<br />
Th<strong>in</strong>, white patch or layer<br />
of cloud without shad<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Composed of very<br />
small elements <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> form of gra<strong>in</strong>s<br />
or ripples. Most<br />
elements<br />
appear less<br />
than <strong>the</strong><br />
width of<br />
one<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ger.<br />
Dark gray cloud that<br />
produces steady ra<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Results from thicken<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Altostratus. The cloud<br />
base lowers as ra<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>creases<br />
eventually<br />
reach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong><br />
‘low’ cloud<br />
region.<br />
Altocumulus<br />
Composed of ma<strong>in</strong>ly water<br />
<strong>the</strong>y appear as white or<br />
gray colored roll-like<br />
elements, bands or<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual puffs.<br />
Tend to occur <strong>in</strong><br />
sheets or<br />
patches with<br />
wavy,<br />
rounded<br />
masses<br />
or rolls.<br />
Cirrostratus<br />
Grayish or bluish color,<br />
never white, and <strong>the</strong><br />
greater part is always<br />
translucent enough to<br />
reveal <strong>the</strong> sun (or<br />
moon). Objects on<br />
<strong>the</strong> ground do<br />
not cast<br />
shadows and<br />
halos are<br />
never<br />
seen.<br />
Nimbostratus<br />
Cirrocumulus<br />
There are over 35 lesson <strong>plan</strong>s <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>National</strong> Wea<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Service</strong> education website<br />
JetStream - An Onl<strong>in</strong>e School for Wea<strong>the</strong>r, a free resource at www.srh.noaa.gov.<br />
Altostratus
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