Name:

Unit 1: Setting the Stage for Lightning

Lesson 3 CLOUD CLUES

The size and shape of a cloud depends on how much moisture is available to “feed” its
growth. The greater the moisture, the bigger the cloud. The clouds that appear now look
puffy and white, like balls of cotton. They are called cumulus clouds. They don’t look very
threatening at first. But then, things change. Water vapor continues to condense. This action
creates heat energy that warms the air inside the cumulus clouds. Warm air rises. So,
the clouds grow taller and taller. In about 10 minutes, they’re more than six miles (9.5 km)
tall! The clouds grow darker, and they flatten out at the top and bottom. They’ve turned into
cumulonimbus clouds, or thunderheads.

Learn to identify different kinds of clouds.

Cloud names describe a cloud’s shape, height, and ability to make rain or snow. There are
three basic names for clouds:
cirrus: feathery streaks cumulus: white puffs stratus: layered blankets

Cloud names may contain other words, too:

1. T he word “alto” means the cloud forms at 6,000 to 20,000 feet (1,830 to 6,100 m).
2. T he word “cirro” means the cloud forms above 20,000 feet (6,100 m).
3. T he word “nimbo” or “nimbus” in a cloud name means it is dropping rain or snow.

a.

20,000 Feet– b.
(6,100 m)

(4,575 m) c.

d.

(3,050 m)
e.
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(1,525 m)
Scientists describe clouds using combinations of all the above words.
They have identified more than 100 types of clouds! Use this naming system to identify five
cloud types shown in the picture above. Use the names listed here:
cirrus cumulonimbus cirrostratus cumulus altostratus

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 Name:
Unit 1: Setting the Stage for Lightining

WEATHER WISE WRAP-UP
Use what you have learned in this unit to complete this page.

1. Mark each statement true or false.

a. Warm air is more dense than cold air. T F
b. Water vapor is another name for a raindrop. T F
c. The word “nimbus” in a cloud name means it is dropping rain or snow. T F
d. Electric charges are either positive or negative. T F
e. Opposite charges do not attract each other. T F

2. Circle the correct answer.

a. Water vapor forms when water:

A. condenses B. evaporates C. creates clouds D. falls as rain

b. Another name for a thunderhead cloud is:

A. cirrus cloud B. stratus cloud C. cumulonimbus cloud D. nimbostratus cloud

c. A basic name for a cloud is:

A. cirrus B. stratus C. cumulus D. all of these

3. C
 ircle the diagram that correctly shows how charges build up inside a
thunderhead cloud.

+++ ––– +++ ++– –

––– ––– +++ ++– –
+++ +++ ––– ++– –
––– +++ ––– ++– –
+++

4. Write about how lightning happens.

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