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The purpose of this lesson is to learn the names of different cloud formations and the type of weather they indicate.
Meteorology is the science of measuring and forecasting the weather.
Barometers, weather maps, weather satellites, thermometers, anemometers, hygrometers, weather balloons, and computer models are used to acquire and process vast amounts of data in real time to forecast weather.
Dynamic weather usually happens along fronts where warm and cool air masses interact.
Isobars are lines of equal pressure on a weather map. They can be used to locate areas of wind and other wind phenomena.
Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning.
Mackerel sky and mare’s tails, makes a sailor furl his sails.
A sailor’s life and livelihood were affected by the weather in the days of sailing vessels. Sailors have a long tradition of weather sayings that are easy to remember and that are based upon practical observations of weather phenomena. Farmer’s also have weather sayings that have been passed down through the generations. These sayings indicate that our ancestors regarded weather information and the potential to predict the weather as practical knowledge. Although these old sayings sound quaint and simple, they do contain pearls of wisdom that are still useful today. Most are based upon observations of types of cloud formations. The table below lists various types of cloud formations and the weather that they indicate.
| Cloud Name (symbol) | Type | Alt. (km) | Description | Weather Indicator / Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cirrus (Ci) | high | +5 | thin, wispy, made of ice crystals | Associated with fair weather. |
| Cirrostratus (Cs) | high | +5 | thin, sheet-like, halo around sun & moon | Possible bad weather in 12/24 hours. |
| Cirrocumulus (Cc) | high | +5 | rounded white puffs, found in rows, “mackerel sky” | Unsettled weather may be on the way. |
| Altocumulus (Ac) | mid | 2-5 | shallow, puffy, wave-like, made of ice and water | Can appear in early morning or late evening. |
| Altostratus (As) | mid | 2-5 | grayish/blue-gray, can uniformly cover the sky, sun can be seen but no halo | Usually seen in advance of storms. |
| Nimbostratus (Ns) | mid, vert. | 0.5-5 | dark gray, wet-looking, sun completely blocked | Produce light to moderate precipitation over a large area. |
| Stratus (St) | low | >2 | uniform grayish cloud covering whole sky, no precipitation, called fog on the ground | Fog, drizzle, or mist if low enough. |
| Stratocumulus (Sc) | low | >2 | Low, lumpy, puffy, found in patches or rounded masses | Drizzle, or light rain, passage or approach of worse weather. |
| Cumulus (Cu) | low | >2 | cotton balls or cauliflower | Slightly developed means fair weather, moderately developed bring possible precipitation. |
| Cumulonimbus (Cb) | vert. | 2-23 | towering appearance, anvil-shaped top | thunderstorms |