Earth Science: Types of Clouds
Identify common clouds and what they can tell us about weather
Earth Science: Types of Clouds
Identify common clouds and what they can tell us about weather
Earth Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
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?
Think of the cloud that looks like fluffy cotton.
It is a cumulus cloud. Cumulus clouds are often white and puffy with flat bottoms. - 2
A cloud is thin, wispy, and high in the sky. It looks like feathers. What type of cloud is it?
It is a cirrus cloud. Cirrus clouds are high, thin, and wispy like feathers. - 3
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 stratus cloud can look like a gray sheet across the sky.
It is a stratus cloud. Stratus clouds form low layers that can cover the sky and bring light rain or drizzle. - 4
A very tall, dark cloud is building upward. It may bring thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, or hail. What type of cloud is it?
It is a cumulonimbus cloud. Cumulonimbus clouds can grow very tall and bring thunderstorms. - 5
Circle the cloud that usually means fair weather: cumulus or cumulonimbus. Explain your choice.
Fair weather clouds often look bright and fluffy.
Cumulus clouds usually mean fair weather when they are white and puffy. Cumulonimbus clouds often bring storms. - 6
Fill in the blank: Cirrus clouds are usually found __________ in the sky.
Cirrus clouds are usually found high in the sky. - 7
Fill in the blank: Stratus clouds often cover the sky in a low, gray __________.
Think of a blanket or sheet across the sky.
Stratus clouds often cover the sky in a low, gray layer. - 8
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?
The weather watcher is seeing cirrus clouds because they are thin, white, and high in the sky. - 9
A student says, "All clouds are the same." Write one sentence that explains why this is not correct.
Compare a puffy cloud to a thin, wispy cloud.
This is not correct because clouds can have different shapes, heights, colors, and weather meanings. - 10
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.
The cloud type is stratus. It may bring cloudy weather, light rain, or drizzle. - 11
Which cloud type has a name that starts like the word "cumulus" but grows into a storm cloud?
Look for the longer cloud name that includes cumulo.
The cloud type is cumulonimbus. It starts with the word cumulo and can grow into a storm cloud. - 12
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.
Puffy and white matches cumulus. Thin and wispy matches cirrus. Low gray layer matches stratus. Tall storm cloud matches cumulonimbus. - 13
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?
Cumulus clouds look like cotton balls.
Cloud D is cumulus because it is puffy and white. - 14
Why should people pay attention to cumulonimbus clouds?
Think about what kind of weather a storm cloud can bring.
People should pay attention to cumulonimbus clouds because they can bring dangerous weather such as thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain, or hail. - 15
Draw or describe a sky with two different cloud types. Name both cloud types in your answer.
A correct answer should describe or draw two cloud types, such as puffy cumulus clouds near thin cirrus clouds high in the sky.