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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Identify and explain the formation of clouds and associated precipitation types 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246531  Identify and explain the formation of clouds and associated precipitation types 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Weather 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  18 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard will be useful for learners that are interested in how clouds and precipitation are formed. The person credited with this Unit Standard will be able to identify all the different cloud types and will also be able to explain the different precipitation formations. The learner will also be able to explain lightning and thunder and relate it to different cloud formations.

A person credited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Explaining the processes that take place in moist air leading to the formation and dispersal of clouds.
  • Explaining the general causes of cloud formation and resultant precipitation types.
  • Identifying and explaining the various cloud types according to their different formations.
  • Interpreting the development and nature of thunder storms. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners accessing this Unit Standard are competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Unit Standard - Analyse Basic Meteorological Circulations at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the processes that take place in moist air leading to the formation and dispersal of clouds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The various physical processes that take place in rising air are explained in relation to the formation of clouds. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The various physical processes include but are not limited to condensation, freezing and deposition.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Condensation nuclei are explained in relation to the physical processes that take place. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Condensation nuclei include but are not limited to the concentration and size spectra of condensation nuclei as well as homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation processes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Warm cloud processes are explained in relation to the coalescence mechanisms and the resultant cloud types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Cold cloud processes are explained in relation to the Bergeron, freezing and accretion processes and the resultant cloud types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Cloud dispersal is explained in relation to the processes that need to be in place for cloud formation to cease. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the general causes of cloud formation and resultant precipitation types. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The precipitation type includes but is not limited to rain, snow, snow grains and snow pellets, ice pellets and hail, and in the form of either rain or showers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Mechanical turbulence is explained in relation to the formation of stratiform type clouds together with the resultant precipitation type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Convection is explained in relation to the formation of convective type clouds together with the resultant precipitation type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Orographic ascent is explained in relation to the formation of stratiform or convective type clouds or lenticularis cloud formation together with the resultant precipitation type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Slow widespread ascent is explained in relation to the formation of stratiform and/or convective type clouds together with the resultant precipitation type. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Frontal zones are explained in relation to the formation of stratiform and/or convective type clouds together with the resultant precipitation type. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and explain the various cloud types according to their different formations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Various cloud types refer to the ten cloud genera, fourteen cloud species, nine cloud varieties, six supplementary clouds and the three accessory clouds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Cloud appearance occurring during daytime as well as night time is explained in terms of luminance and colour. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ten cloud genera are explained in order to identify cloud types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Fourteen cloud species are explained in order to identify cloud types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Nine cloud varieties are explained in order to identify cloud types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Six supplementary features and three accessory clouds are explained in order to identify cloud types. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Interpret the development and nature of thunder storms. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Severe storms refer to thunderstorms. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Thunderstorm development is analysed in terms of favourable weather conditions for its formation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Convective cloud development is interpreted in terms of its three distinct stages of development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Lightning is explained in relation to how it occurs. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lightning refers to cloud to cloud, cloud to ground and cloud to space occurrences. Lightning also includes but is not limited to fork, streak, sheet and ball lightning.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Lightning is interpreted in relation to the dangers and the minimisation thereof. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Thunder is explained in relation to how it occurs. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The physical changes that moist air will undergo in a vertical accent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems relating to the identification of clouds and precipitation types. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities in such a way that all the required data for the identification of clouds and precipitation types is readily available as required. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to the formation of clouds and other associated precipitation types. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems in terms of the relationship between the formation of cloud types and precipitation and thunder storms. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58995   National Certificate: Weather Observation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. South African Weather Service 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.