Explorers Group Cloud ID Poster Project

Supplies Needed –

• Large Blue cardstock or construction paper
• Cotton balls
• Black/ dark marker for labeling
• Gray marker or paint
• Glue

Instructions – Use the picture as a guide

Mark the altitudes on your paper – Label the first third as 6,500 feet and the top third as 20,000 feet. You can also draw in the ground.

Use the cotton balls to show each cloud type – First place some glue on the page, then spread or group your cotton balls to show each cloud type, paying attention to your altitude markers. Once the glue is dry, paint or use a marker for gray clouds and raindrops

• Cumulus clouds sit below 6,500 feet, they are medium sized, fluffy and white
• Cumulonimbus clouds are thunder and rain clouds, they start low in the sky below 6,500 feet, and can stretch above 20,000 feet, they are often dark gray, very large and fluffy
• Stratus clouds are thin, gray and somewhat featureless, low lying- below 6,500 feet- sometimes touching the ground
• Stratocumulus clouds are thick, darker gray conjoined heaps, below 6,500 feet
• Nimbostratus clouds start below 6,500 feet and stretch up to 18,000 feet, produce rain or snow, and are large, grayish and fluffy
• Altocumulus clouds sit above 6,500 feet, they are patchy white or light gray and rippled
• Altostratus clouds sit between 7,000 to 23,00 feet, this cloud is a smooth gray blanket that may block sunlight
• Cirrostratus clouds can start at about 20,000 feet up to 43,000 feet, they are thin, shapeless and can produce a halo
• Cirrocumulus clouds are small, patchy white and sit between 16,000 to 49,000 feet
• Cirrus clouds also sit between 16,000 to 49,000 feet, they are wispy, streaky and white

Label each cloud type with marker, you can also create a title for the poster

Bring your poster with you to the fort to help you identify clouds and predict the weather during your visit

More Information about Cloud Identification here