Name that Cloud
suggested grade levels: 7-12
view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson

Procedure:
Encourage your students to use the cloud imaging section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho.
To get there: Click on Atlas Home, Climatology, then on Cloud Imaging. This will take you to an area with both diagrams and information. On the right hand side of the screen you will find much information about the many types of clouds. Scroll down the side until you reach about the middle of the information. There will be a link called Basic Types of Clouds. This link takes you to a diagram explaining the altitudes of the various types of clouds. As you further scroll down the page, you will find the names of the clouds highlighted. Use these links to find an explanation of each type of cloud and what it looks like. Have your students complete the following handout. For a printable pdf copy of this handout for your students, click below.

Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
clim8ho.pdf | clim8AK.pdf | Cloud Imaging

Clouds come in many shapes and sizes. Some kinds of clouds carry lots of water that they may release in the form of precipitation. This activity will help you learn to identify the different types of clouds that are common in Idaho. There are also sections of the Digital Atlas on climate, rain shadows, and other phenomena that can help you understand the behavior of clouds. This activity will help you better understand the types of clouds, how they are formed, and what they do to affect our climate. Identify these clouds using the Digital Atlas of Idaho. Label each image with its correct name on the line below it. Also indicate what type of weather should be expected when these clouds are present.
(There are images used here.)