RENDLESHAM WEATHER STATION | FREE LEARNING CENTRE

Volume 4: Clouds and Storms

Lesson 4.1: Recognising clouds

Cumulus clouds are puffy; stratus forms low layers; cirrus is high and wispy;

cumulonimbus is deep and towering. Cloud types can offer clues about the

atmosphere but cannot reliably predict rain on their own.

Try it: Sketch or photograph three cloud types and label them.

Quick quiz: Which cloud is most closely associated with thunderstorms?

Answer: Cumulonimbus.

Lesson 4.2: Thunderstorms and lightning

Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rises in an unstable atmosphere and

develops deep convection. Lightning is an electrical discharge; thunder is the sound

caused by rapidly heated air. If you hear thunder, seek shelter inside a substantial

building or enclosed vehicle; avoid open fields and isolated trees.

Try it: Read the Met Office thunderstorm safety guidance and make a family safety

checklist.

Quick quiz: Is it safe to shelter under a lone tree during lightning?

Answer: No.

Lesson 4.3: Hail, showers and visibility

Strong updraughts inside thunderstorms can keep hailstones aloft while they grow.

Showers can be highly localised: one village may be wet while another stays dry. Mist

and fog reduce visibility, particularly when air cools towards its dew point.

Try it: Compare rainfall at your station with a nearby official observation.

Quick quiz: Can two nearby places have different shower totals?

Answer: Yes.

Talk about it: What did you learn, and how might it help you understand the weather where you live