Download Cloud Types

Fronts
Air Mass – this is a huge “bubble” of air that shares the same
temperature and pressure. (can be big enough to cover a couple states!)
Warm Air Mass – this is an air mass made up of warm air that has a low pressure.
 Usually holds a lot of moisture.
 Forms over hot land or water.
L
Cold Air Mass – this is an air mass made up of cool temperatures and
high pressure.
 Usually does not hold much moisture
 Forms over cold water or land.
H
Front – this is the edge of an air mass that is near another air mass.
Warm Front
Cold Front
Stationary Front
(doesn’t move much)
Occluded Front
(Mixture of 2 fronts)
Cloud Types
Cumulus – large fluffy white clouds
 white with gray centers
 appear on nice summer days.
Cumulonimbus – these are storm clouds formed form cumulus clouds
 form higher in the sky than cumulous

bring storms with rain and hail.
Stratus –these clouds spread across the sky in flat, gray layers.
 form low in the sky
 hold a lot of moisture.
Cirrus – these are wispy white clouds with feathery edges.
 made of tiny ice crystals
 highest clouds in the sky
 seen when weather is cool and dry.
Water Cycle
The water cycle is the process that makes it possible for water to travel all over the
world.
Evaporation – water changes from a liquid into a gas.
 warm air absorbs water
(example- puddles drying on a sunny day.)
Condensation – water changes form a gas into a liquid.
 warm air cools and releases the water.
(example- water forming on the outside of a cold glass.)

Precipitation – water falls from the sky as a solid or a liquid
rain, sleet, snow, hail

Collection – water collects on the ground in puddles and lakes.
