Cloud Types
What are cumulus clouds?
This type of cloud is puffy and often described as "cotton-ball-like".
What is an anemometer?
This instrument measures wind speed.
What is the water cycle?
This continuous process includes evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
What is a thermometer?
This common instrument measures temperature.
What is climate?
Unlike weather, this term describes long-term atmospheric conditions in an area.
What are cirrus clouds?
These high, wispy clouds are made of ice crystals.
What is wind?
The movement of air from areas of high pressure to low pressure creates this.
What are hurricanes?
These rotating tropical storms with high winds form over warm ocean waters.
What is a rain gauge?
This tool measures the amount of rainfall.
What is El Niño?
This ocean-atmosphere pattern brings warmer than average temperatures to the eastern Pacific.
What is "nimbo" or "nimbus"?
This prefix in a cloud name means it's likely to produce precipitation.
What is the Coriolis effect?
This effect, caused by Earth's rotation, influences global wind patterns.
What are thunderstorms?
When thunder roars, go indoors!" is a safety tip for this type of storm.
What is a barometer?
This instrument measures air pressure and can help predict weather changes.
What is the jet stream?
This narrow band of strong winds high in the atmosphere influences weather patterns.
What are stratus clouds?
This low-lying, uniform gray cloud type often brings drizzle.
What is a sea breeze?
This type of local wind occurs when cool air from a large body of water moves toward warmer land.
What are tsunamis?
These giant ocean waves are often caused by underwater earthquakes.
What is a weather vane?
This arrow-shaped tool shows wind direction.
What are weather fronts?
These are boundaries between two different air masses that often bring weather changes.
What are cumulonimbus clouds?
This cloud type, often called "thunderheads," can reach heights of over 39,000 feet and is associated with severe weather.
What is the difference between the different local winds we discussed in class?
They are named after the location from which they came. example: Land breeze goes from land to sea
Blizzards are severe winter storms that can be dangerous. What conditions must be present for a winter storm to be classified as a blizzard?
Strong winds and low visibility for at least 3 hours.
Which weather instrument is used to measure air pressure and can help meteorologists predict changes in the weather?
Barometer
Which of the following describes the direction that trade winds blow in the Northern Hemisphere?
From east to west.