CE­MIST,
Ruth
Patrick
Science
Education
Center,
January
2009
Luke’s Latin Labels for Clouds
To Learn: In 1803, an English scientist named Luke Howard created a cloud classification
system that is still in use today. Like many scientists, Luke Howard used Latin roots in his
labeling system. He classified clouds using cirrus, cumulus and stratus as the main categories.
Translations for these Latin roots and others used in cloud classification are listed below.
Latin Root
cirrus
cumulus
stratus
nimbus
Translation
curl of hair
heap
layer
rain
Latin Root
alto
lenticularis
mamma
pileus
Translation
high or middle
shaped like a lentil
breast or udder
brimless cap
Today's cloud classification system has four main divisions based on the altitude of the cloud.
The cloud names are derived from the roots above or combinations of them.
High-Level at 20,000 to 40,000 ft (6,100 to12,200 m): cirrus, cirrocumulus, cirrostratus
Mid-Level at 6,500 to 20,000 ft (1,980 to 6,100 m): altocumulus, altostratus
Low-Level near ground level to 6,500 ft (1,980 m): stratus, stratocumulus, nimbostratus
Vertical Development from 1,600 ft to 20,000 ft (490 to 6,100 m): cumulus, cumulonimbus
Other cloud types with Latin origins include: lenticular, mammatus and pileus clouds.
Lenticular clouds are lens-shaped and can form when stable moist air flows over a mountain.
Mammatus are round, pouch-like clouds formed in sinking air, usually below a cumulonimbus.
Pileus is a smooth, cap cloud found attached to either a mountaintop or growing cumulus tower.
To Do: Using the definitions provided here, draw pictures of seven of these cloud types on a
piece of graph paper. Label the vertical side of the paper with altitudes and place your cloud
drawings at the proper levels. Label your clouds after you are finished drawing.
Poetry to Explain Precipitation
As you watched “Blown Away” in the planetarium, you learned about the water cycle and
processes such as: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration and runoff.
To show that you understand how water moves through the water cycle, write a poem of
any variety. You may use the process words, but it is not necessary. Two examples follow.
The Water Cycle Story
The heat from the sun shines down on the lake
And causes some water to evaporate.
Evaporated water rises up to the sky
And changes into clouds that we see passing by.
Along comes the wind and blows them around,
And that's what makes the rain that falls to the ground.
What am I?
I’m on a journey that has no end
From land to sky then back to land.
Sometimes with others swiftly rushing,
Sometimes alone slowly rising.
I change from solid to liquid to gas.
Can you guess what I am at last?
CE­MIST,
Ruth
Patrick
Science
Education
Center,
January
2009
Writing with Weather Idioms
To Learn: An idiom is an expression with a non-literal meaning. The meaning of the
expression is usually understood by native speakers of the language but not by foreigners
because it doesn’t make sense using normal definitions of the words.
To Discuss: Read the idioms below that involve weather-related terms and discuss their
meanings with some classmates.
1. She is chasing rainbows!
2. Every cloud has a silver lining.
3. Our business is experiencing a dry spell.
4. She is just a fair weather friend.
5. Be sure he doesn’t get wind of it.
6. When it rains, it pours.
7. He has it made in the shade!
8. It was the calm before the storm.
9. Don’t let it rain on your parade!
10. Save it for a rainy day.
11. She likes to shoot the breeze.
12. Can I get a raincheck?
13. He often throws caution to the wind!
14. I’m feeling a little under the weather today.
15. We will weather the storm together.
To Write: Choose three or more of the weather idioms and write a short story that allows the
reader to catch the meaning of the idioms.