WARM FRONT

A warm front forms when a warm air mass catches up with a cold air mass.

The air is warmer behind a warm front.

Warm fronts usually move from west to east across the United States.

Steady rain or snow may fall as the front approaches and passes. Then the sky becomes clear of clouds and the temperature becomes warmer.

COLD FRONT

A cold front forms when a cold air mass catches up with a warm air mass.

The air is colder behind a cold front.

Cold fronts usually move from west to east across the United States.

As the warm air is pushed upward, it cools and forms clouds.  Rain develops and thunderstorms often occur along a cold front.

Stationary Front

A stationary front can stay in one place for several days.

The winds on either side of a stationary front blow in opposite directions.

A stationary front usually moves very slowly or not at all.

A stationary front can bring a constant fall of snow or rain.

WATER CYCLE TERMS

evaporation-liquid water changing to water vapor

condensation-water vapor changing to liquid as it cools

precipitation-rain, hail, snow, or sleet

groundwater-water being stored underground

transpiration-water vapor being released from plants

collection-when water falls back to earth as precipitation and collects in rivers, lakes, streams, the ocean, or on the land

percolation-slow movement of water through soil or rock

surface runoff-water running downhill on the surface of the land

Stratus Clouds

Stratus Clouds are low, layered, horizontal clouds that are wispy with a flat base.  These clouds usually bring a steady rain.

Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus Clouds are low, puffy clouds with a flat base. These clouds are the large clouds that sometimes look like huge puffs of cotton.  Sometimes Cumulus clouds look like animals or other familiar objects.  They usually mean fair weather-no rain.

Cumulonimbus

These clouds are large, dense, towering clouds that produce lightning, thunder, heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and tornadoes.   They are the tallest of all clouds.

Cirrus

Cirrus clouds are thin, wispy, feathery clouds that are high in the sky.  They mean fair weather-no rain.

Watch this video about cloud types!

You can also visit Weather Wiz Kids to learn more about the topic of weather!