Nimbostratus cloud
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Nimbostratus cloud
| Nimbostratus cloud | |
|---|---|
 Nimbostratus with fractus |
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| Abbreviation | Ns |
| Symbol |  |
| Genus | Nimbostratus (rain, layered) |
| Species | Stratiformis |
| Altitude | below 3,000 m (below 10,000 ft) |
| Classification | Family D (Vertically developed) |
| Appearance | Dark, widespread, formless layer |
| Precipitation cloud? | Yes, but may be virga |
A nimbostratus cloud is characterized by a formless cloud layer that is almost uniformly dark gray. "Nimbo" is from the Latin word "nimbus", which denotes precipitation. It is generally a stratiform cloud of moderate vertical development (family D1) that produces precipitation, developing cloud bases between the surface and about 10000 ft (3000 m). This cloud typically forms from altostratus in the middle altitude range then subsides into the low altitude range during precipitation.[1] Nimbostratus usually has a thickness of about 2000 meters. Though found worldwide, nimbostratus is found more commonly in the middle latitudes.[2]
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Contents
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Formation
Nimbostratus will occur along warm fronts where the slowly rising warm air mass creates nimbostratus and stratus clouds, which are preceded by higher-level clouds such as cirrostratus and altostratus.[3][4] Often, when an altostratus cloud thickens and descends into lower altitudes, it will become nimbostratus.[5]
Forecast
Usually, nimbostratus is a sign of steady moderate to heavy precipitation, as opposed to the shorter period of typically heavier precipitation released by a cumulonimbus cloud.[2] However, precipitation does not occur at ground level in case of virga and accompanies other cloud types. Precipitation may last for several days, depending on the speed of the occluded front it accompanies.[3] A nimbostratus virga cloud is the same as a normal nimbostratus, but the precipitation is virga and it never reaches the ground. Stratus or stratocumulus (comprising the warm sector of a frontal system) usually forms when it clears.
References
- ^ World Meteorological Organization International Cloud Atlas
- ^ a b Pretor-Pinney, Gavin (2007). The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds. Perigee. ISBN 0-399-53345-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=MAiKY4xU6y8C.
- ^ a b Dunlop, Storm (2003). Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot. ISBN 1-58574-857-9.
- ^ Thompson, Graham; Turk, Jonathan (1993). Earth Science and the Environment. Fort Worth: Saunders College Publishing. ISBN 0-03-075446-1.
- ^ Lankford, Terry (2000). Aviation Weather Handbook. McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-136103-3. http://books.google.com/books?id=kSSn7vPgmUQC&dq=nimbostratus+6500&cad=0.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nimbostratus clouds |
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