Cloud Hunter Field Guide
Cloud Hunter Field Guide
The 10 Primary Cloud Types Reference
Name:
Date:
Watch the Official Video:
National Geographic: Clouds 101
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMagDRCpJ14
| Altitude Level | Cloud Name | Key Appearance | Forecast/Production |
|---|
| HIGH | | | |
| Above 20,000 ft | Cirrus | Wispy, thin, white "feathers" or "mare's tails" | Fair now; rain in 24h |
| Cirrocumulus | Small white patches or ripples | Fair but cold weather | |
| Cirrostratus | Thin veil; creates halos around sun | Rain/snow in 12-24h | |
| MIDDLE | | | |
| 6,500 - 20,000 ft | Altocumulus | Gray/white patches; rounded masses | Possible afternoon storms |
| Altostratus | Gray/blue sheets; "watery" sun | Continuous rain or snow | |
| LOW | | | |
| Below 6,500 ft | Stratus | Uniform gray layer; like fog | Light drizzle or snow |
| Stratocumulus | Low, lumpy layer; dark patches | Occasional light drizzle | |
| Nimbostratus | Dark, thick, ragged layers | Heavy, steady rain/snow | |
| VERTICAL | | | |
| Multi-level | Cumulus | Cotton-like; sharp outlines | Fair weather clouds |
| Cumulonimbus | Towering anvil shape; dark base | Thunderstorms, hail | |
Name Decoders
Cirro: High altitude
Alto: Middle altitude
Strato: Layer/Blanket
Nimbo: Rain-bearing
Cumulo: Heap/Pile
Observer Pro-Tip
If you can't see your shadow through the clouds, they are likely Altostratus. If the sun looks like a bright disk, they are Cirrostratus.
Sky Script Guided Notes
Sky Script: Guided Notes
Watch the National Geographic "Clouds 101" video to complete these notes.
Name:
Date:
Video Link: youtube.com/watch?v=FMagDRCpJ14
Nat Geo: Clouds 101
Part 1: The Basics
1. Clouds are made of tiny blank or blank that condensed around dust.
2. Clouds are categorized into three levels based on their blank.
High (Ice)
Middle (Mixed)
Low (Water)
Part 2: Cloud Identification
High (Above 20,000 ft)
- Cirrus: Wispy ____________________ tails.
- Cirrocumulus: Tiny white ____________________.
- Cirrostratus: Transparent ____________________.
Middle (6,500 - 20,000 ft)
- Altocumulus: Rounded, cotton-like _____________.
- Altostratus: Grayish, sun-masking ___________.
Low (Below 6,500 ft)
- Stratus: Blanket-like gray _______________.
- Stratocumulus: Lumpy, dark _____________ patches.
- Nimbostratus: Dark layers; produces _________.
Vertical Growth
- Cumulus: Fluffy, "__________ weather" clouds.
- Cumulonimbus: Giant _________-shaped clouds.
Reflection Challenge
Why is the Cumulonimbus often called the "King of Clouds" in the video?
Did you know? The word "Nimbo" or "Nimbus" always indicates that a cloud produces precipitation!
Cloud Catcher Slides
Cloud Catcher
Exploring the 10 Primary Cloud Types
What are Clouds?
Clouds are visible accumulations of minute water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the Earth's atmosphere.
Formed by condensation
Classified by altitude
Watch: Clouds 101
Embedded media
Use your "Sky Script" notes to follow along!
Level 1: High Clouds
Above 20,000 feet (6,000 meters)
Cirrus
The "Ice Queen." Wispy strands made of ice crystals. Signal fair weather but indicate changes.
Cirrocumulus
Small, white ripples. Look like fish scales (Mackerel Sky). Fair but cold weather.
Cirrostratus
Thin sheets that cover the sky. Produce a halo around the sun.
Level 2: Middle Clouds
6,500 to 20,000 feet (2,000 – 6,000 meters)
Altocumulus
Gray or white "rolls" or patches. Can indicate convection and potential afternoon storms.
Altostratus
Grayish sheets that cover the entire sky. The sun looks like a dim "watery" circle.
Level 3: Low Clouds
Below 6,500 feet (2,000 meters)
Stratus
The "Foggy Blanket." Uniform gray layer. Can produce drizzle.
Stratocumulus
Lumpy gray masses. Often cover the sky in winter.
Nimbostratus
The "Rain Cloud." Thick, dark layers. Steady, continuous rain.
Vertical Growth
The "Towering Giants"
Cumulus
The "Fair Weather" fluffy cotton balls. Flat bases and bright white tops.
Good weather vibes!
Cumulonimbus
The "King of Clouds." Towering giants with an anvil-shaped top.
Severe storms ahead!
Sky Spotter Challenge
Question 1
Which cloud prefix refers to middle-altitude clouds?
Question 2
What cloud is known for its distinctive "anvil" shape?
Sky Script Answer Key
Answer Key: Sky Script
Teacher Resource • Cloud Types & Forecasts
Part 1: The Basics of Cloud Formation
1. Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that have condensed around dust particles in the atmosphere.
2. The three main cloud categories are classified by their altitude (or height) in the sky.
Part 2: The 10 Primary Cloud Types
High Level (Above 20,000 ft)
- Cirrus: thin, wispy feathers ... made of ice crystals.
- Cirrocumulus: small, white patches in a "mackerel sky."
- Cirrostratus: can create a halo around the sun or moon.
Middle Level (6,500 - 20,000 ft)
- Altocumulus: look like patches of cotton or rounded masses.
- Altostratus: often masks the sun, making it look watery.
Low Level (Below 6,500 ft)
- Stratus: resemble a flat, gray blanket.
- Stratocumulus: lumpy and stormy-looking (but usually light rain).
- Nimbostratus: "nimbo" means rain.
Vertical Growth
- Cumulus: fair weather clouds.
- Cumulonimbus: anvil shape ... thunder storms.
Reflection Answer
Question: Picnic & Altocumulus clouds?
Sample Answer: Altocumulus clouds in the afternoon can indicate that the atmosphere is unstable and convection is happening. This often means that cumulonimbus clouds (thunderstorms) could develop later in the day.
