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Cloud Shapes
Look up at the sky.
Do you see any clouds today?
Look! There's one shaped like a fluffy, white bunny. A dark gray one floats by like a jellyfish.
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Tiny Floating Drops
Clouds look different. But they are all made of
the same stuff--water. Clouds form when tiny
drops of water gather in the sky. Tiny chunks
of ice make up clouds, too.
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The tiny drops of water come
together. They form heavier
and heavier drops. Sometimes,
the drops get too heavy
to float.
Splat! Rain pours from the clouds.
Or you might see drizzle, mist,
or snow.
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Changing Clouds
Watch a cloud closely. You will see it change
before your very eyes.
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Clouds can change shapes and sizes. They can look bright white or dark gray. Have you ever seen pink clouds at sunset?
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Clouds dip and dance as the
wind pushes them across the sky.
Some clouds travel as fast
as race cars!
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High Clouds, Low Clouds
Scientists group clouds by where
they are seen in the sky.
High clouds sail with the
jumbo jets. Birds fly through
low clouds.
Other clouds float in
the middle, and some
move up and down.
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Have you ever walked by a lake on a cool morning? The fog can be very thick. You can barely see the road ahead of you!
Fog is actually a cloud that creeps along the ground.
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Types of Clouds
Scientists also group by how they look. Let's explore a few clouds.
Stratus clouds look like a gray blanket over the sky. They often gather in cool weather. These clouds mean rain may soon be falling.
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Have you ever seen bright cotton balls
in the sky? These are cumulus clouds.
They mostly drift along on a fine, sunny day.
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Very high above your head float cirrus clouds.
Their long tails curve through the sky.
When you see these clouds, the weather might soon change.
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Run for cover!
Dark cumulonimbus clouds are gathering.
These clouds cause powerful storms.
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Study the Clouds
Will it rain? Is a snowstorm coming? Clouds
give clues about what the weather will be like.
Scientists study clouds to tell what kind of
day you'll have tomorrow.
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You can study the clouds, too. What types of clouds do you see? Can you guess the weather ahead?
No matter what, you are sure to find many wonderful shapes drifting in the sky.
