Earth Science: Types of Clouds

A cloud looks white, puffy, and has a flat bottom. It looks like a pile of cotton balls in the sky. What type of cloud is it?

A cloud is thin, wispy, and high in the sky. It looks like feathers. What type of cloud is it?

A gray cloud covers most of the sky like a blanket. It may bring light rain or drizzle. What type of cloud is it?

A very tall, dark cloud is building upward. It may bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, or hail. What type of cloud is it?

Circle the cloud that usually means fair weather: cumulus or cumulonimbus. Explain your choice.

Fill in the blank: Cirrus clouds are usually found __________ in the sky.

Fill in the blank: Stratus clouds often cover the sky in a low, gray __________.

A weather watcher sees thin, white streaks high above the school. The clouds do not look puffy or dark. Which cloud type is the weather watcher seeing?

A student says, "All clouds are the same." Write one sentence that explains why this is not correct.

Look at the cloud description: low, gray, flat, and covering the whole sky. Write the cloud type and one kind of weather it may bring.

Which cloud type has a name that starts like the word "cumulus" but grows into a storm cloud?

Match each clue to the cloud type: puffy and white, thin and wispy, low gray layer, tall storm cloud. Use the cloud names cumulus, cirrus, stratus, and cumulonimbus.

A picture shows four clouds. Cloud A is thin and high. Cloud B is tall and dark. Cloud C is low and flat. Cloud D is puffy and white. Which cloud is cumulus?

Why should people pay attention to cumulonimbus clouds?

Draw or describe a sky with two different cloud types. Name both cloud types in your answer.