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Cloud Types
The cloud types and what weather they bring.
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46 cards
- CirrusCloudHigh, thin, wispy clouds made of ice crystals
- CirrostratusCloudHigh, thin sheet that can make a halo around the Sun
- CirrocumulusCloudHigh, small rippled clouds in rows
- AltostratusCloudMiddle-level gray or blue-gray sheet that can cover the sky
- AltocumulusCloudMiddle-level puffy patches in rows
- StratusCloudLow gray layer like fog above the ground
- StratocumulusCloudLow, lumpy gray and white clouds
- NimbostratusCloudThick, dark layer that brings steady rain or snow
- CumulusCloudFluffy white clouds with flat bottoms
- CumulonimbusCloudTall thunderstorm clouds
- Which cloud makes thunderstorms?CloudCumulonimbus
- Which cloud usually means fair weather?CloudCumulus
- Which clouds are the highest?CloudCirrus family
- Which clouds are low-level?CloudStratus, stratocumulus and nimbostratus
- What does cirro- mean?CloudHigh, wispy or curly
- What does stratus mean?CloudLayer or sheet
- What does cumulus mean?CloudHeap or pile
- What does nimbus mean?CloudRain-bearing
- What does alto- mean?CloudMiddle level
- ContrailCloudA cloud-like trail left behind by a high-flying airplane
- FogCloudA cloud that touches the ground
- MistCloudA thin fog with tiny water droplets
- Lenticular cloudCloudA smooth, lens-shaped cloud often near mountains
- Mammatus cloudCloudPouch-like bulges on the underside of a cloud
- Noctilucent cloudCloudVery high thin cloud that glows at twilight
- Anvil cloudCloudThe flat top of a cumulonimbus
- Funnel cloudCloudA rotating cone of cloud that hasn't touched the ground
- Shelf cloudCloudLow wedge-shaped cloud at the front of a storm
- Wall cloudCloudA lowered cloud base under a storm that can produce tornadoes
- How do clouds form?CloudRising air cools and water vapor condenses on tiny particles
- What are clouds made of?CloudTiny water droplets or ice crystals
- Why do clouds float?CloudThe droplets are so tiny that rising air keeps them up
- Condensation nucleiCloudTiny bits of dust or salt that droplets form on
- Cloud coverCloudHow much of the sky is covered by clouds
- OvercastCloudA sky fully covered by clouds
- Partly cloudyCloudA sky with some clouds and some blue
- Why are clouds white?CloudThey scatter all colors of sunlight
- Why are storm clouds dark?CloudThey are so thick that little light passes through
- Cumulus humilisCloudSmall, flat fair-weather cumulus
- Cumulus congestusCloudTall towering cumulus that can grow into storms
- Mackerel skyCloudCirrocumulus or altocumulus that looks like fish scales
- Mares' tailsCloudLong streaks of cirrus clouds
- HaloCloudA ring of light around the Sun or Moon from ice crystals in thin clouds
- VirgaCloudRain that evaporates before reaching the ground
- Altitude of high cloudsCloudAbove about 6 kilometers
- Altitude of low cloudsCloudBelow about 2 kilometers
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