The Plymouth State Meteorology Program has developed this web page to provide explanations of and access to detailed pictures of some basic cloud forms.
The "Cloudman", Dr. John A. Day, was a professor emeritis from Linfield College, in Oregon, USA, who taught meteorology for over forty years and who has a great passion for sharing the wonder of clouds.
He was in his 90s and passed away in 2008. His photography and writings are found in international publications and museums, and are used by artists, musicians, teachers, and many other cloud lovers.
The Treehouse Weather Kids is designed for teachers and students in the 5th – 8th grades. It provides basic information on weather topics such as winds, moisture, air pressure, seasons, and storms.
This video, featuring original stop-motion animation, is a fun way for children to learn about different types of clouds and their relationship to weather. It encourages young children to develop their powers of observation, an important component of the scientific method.
Satellites can take in thousands of miles of the Earth’s surface in one shot, revealing complicated and intriguing cloud patterns we could never see from below. We’ve gathered here some of the best cloud formations to see from above.
“Aren't the clouds beautiful? They look like big balls of cotton... I could just lie here all day, and watch them drift by... If you use your imagination, you can see lots of things in the cloud formations... What do you think you see, Linus?" "Well, those clouds up there look like the map of the British Honduras on the Caribbean... That cloud up there looks a little like the profile of Thomas Eakins, the famous painter and sculptor... And that group of clouds over there gives me the impression of the stoning of Stephen... I can see the apostle Paul standing there to one side..." "Uh huh... That's very good... What do you see in the clouds, Charlie Brown?" "Well, I was going to say I saw a ducky and a horsie, but I changed my mind!” ― Charles M. Schulz, The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 5: 1959-1960
(7.15 min) Learn how clouds are formed and watch an experiment to make a cloud using liquid nitrogen. Find out how scientists classify clouds according to their altitude and how clouds reflect and absorb light, giving them different colors.
