Cloud Estimation
Name______________________
Period- 8
Background Information
It is difficult to estimate cloud cover, we tend to underestimate the open spaces in
between objects as compared to the space occupied by the objects themselves. This
happens for a variety of reasons some include: the amount of space in between the
objects, the size of the objects and the also the shape of them.
Purpose
Students will be able to have a better understanding of how to estimate percentage
of cloud cover as well as take more accurate cloud cover observations.
Materials
1 piece of white paper
1 piece of blue paper
Glue stick
Procedure
1. Fold your white piece of paper into ten equal sections Each section represents
10%
2. Chose what percentage of cloud cover you want to represent on the blue
background. And write this on the back of the blue paper so no one else knows
what you chose. A few rules>>>>>>>
a. Can only chose increments of 10
b. When you cut up sections the pieces can’t overlap each other
c. None of the white pieces can hang over the edge
3. After you are done with your representation of cloud cover leave it on your desk
with your name on the front of it and walk around to and fill in the charts using
the following information. (See Next Page)
Percentage (%) If less than If greater or equal to
10 Clear Isolated
25 Isolated Scattered
50 Scattered Broken
90 Broken Overcast
Fill in this chart as you walk around
Name Estimated Classification Right Wrong
Percent
Chris
Tyla
Erin
Nick H
AJ
Nate
Donavan
Shay
Jonny
Autumn
Rebecca
Joe
Josh
Richard
Thomas
Tyler
Daniel
Chelsey
Joyce
Jovensky
Katelyn
Nick S
Sam
Karl
Stephen
Rebecca
We will do this together
Name Actual % Underestimates Correct Overestimates
Estimates
Chris
Tyla
Erin
Nick H
AJ
Nate
Donavan
Shay
Jonny
Autumn
Rebecca
Joe
Josh
Richard
Thomas
Tyler
Daniel
Chelsey
Joyce
Jovensky
Katelyn
Nick S
Sam
Karl
Stephen
Rebecca
Name Actual Too Little Correct Too Mush
Classification Classification
Chris
Tyla
Erin
Nick H
AJ
Nate
Donavan
Shay
Jonny
Autumn
Rebecca
Joe
Josh
Richard
Thomas
Tyler
Daniel
Chelsey
Joyce
Jovensky
Katelyn
Nick S
Sam
Karl
Stephen
Rebecca
Conclusion Questions
1. Looking at the estimation section when did the greatest errors occur? When the
percentage was high or low?
2. Did you have a tendency to overestimate or underestimate cloud cover? Why do
you think this is the case?
3. What factors influenced the accuracy of your results?
4. Where else might this spatial estimation be useful in your everyday life?
5. Which cloud classifications were easiest to identify and which were the most
difficult?
6. What strategies did you use to help you identify the cloud classification?