Stratus
Layered or stratified clouds are stratus clouds. These types of clouds are low-lying gray clouds that sit under 6,000 feet.
Clouds that include the term "nimbus" tend to be the ones that come with moderate precipitation and storms. These clouds tend to be fluffy with dark gray bottoms.
A boat on the water is a great place to watch clouds. It's also a pleasant way to pass the time when you are bored. It can also save you and your family from being caught in a sudden thunderstorm. A skipper knows to always check the weather forecast before leaving the dock, but sometimes weather changes happen very rapidly. You can "keep a weather eye" by watching clouds and paying attention to changes in the wind and the seas.When I first started to learn about clouds, I found all the names confusing and hard to remember. So I developed my own system for classifying clouds. (If you have your own system, let us know and we'll put it up here.)First you need to identify clouds by their shape. There are actually ten different types of clouds, but for now we'll concentrate on two basic shapes. The first type looks like spoonfuls of marshmallow cream or cool whip (cool whip = cumulus). These are Cumulus clouds and they are puffy. Cumulus clouds can look like animals or people. The other shape of clouds is pretty flat and straight - your plain old white bread clouds (straight = stratus). Stratus clouds are flat (like bread) and can be layered or thin and wispy.Cumulus means "heap, a pile, an accumulation"I remember cumulus because they remind me of cool whip.Stratus means "spread out, flatten, cover with a layer"Flat and straight = stratusNimbus means "rainy cloud". Nimbus clouds can be either cumulus (puffy) or stratus (flat).That part's pretty easy. The other thing you need to know is the height of the clouds. There are three catagories of heights:Cloud GroupCloud HeightCloud TypesHigh Clouds = CirrusAbove 18,000 feetCirrusCirrostratusCirrocumulusMiddle Clouds = Alto6,500 feet to 18,000 feetAltostratusAltocumulusLow Clouds = StratusUp to 6,500 feetStratusStratocumulusNimbostratusand then there are clouds that can grow from low to high:Clouds with vertical growthCumulusCumulonimbusNames of specific types of clouds are created by combining the name of the cloud's shape with the name of the cloud's height.Cirros (high) or Cirro can be used with cumulus (heap, puffy) to indicate a cirrocumulus or high, puffy cloud. It can also be used with stratus(flat, layered) as in cirrostratus to indicate a high, flat or layered cloud.Alto can also be used with cumulus and stratus to indicate altocumulus and altostratus which are middle altitude puffy clouds and middle altitude flat or layered clouds respectively.Nimbo or nimbus might be used with cumulusor stratus to indicate a cloud formation that is producing rain. These clouds could be eithercumulonimbus which would be a puffy, vertically-rising rain cloud or nimbostratuswhich would be a sheet or flat-looking rain cloud.Then there's stratusstratus - low (stratus) and flat (stratus) - but since that is redundent, we just call them stratus. (I just made that up.)High clouds above 18,000 feet are cirrus clouds.Cirrus clouds are the most common of the high clouds. They are composed of ice and consist of long, thin, wispy streamers. Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict fair weather. Sometimes called mares tails, they stream with the wind. By watching the movement of cirrus clouds you can tell from which direction weather is approaching. The appearance of cirrus clouds usually indicates that a change in weather will occur within 24 hours.Cirrostratus are sheetlike, thin clouds that usually cover the entire sky. The sun or moon can shine through Cirrostratus clouds. Cirrostratus clouds usually come 12-24 hours before a rain or snow storm.Cirrocumulus are small, rounded puffs that usually appear in long rows. They are usually white, but sometimes appear gray. Cirrocumulus are usually seen in the winter and indicate fair, but cold, weather. In the tropics, they may indicate an approaching hurricane.Medium high clouds occupy altitudes of 6,500 feet to 18,000 feet. These clouds are called alto clouds. Alto clouds are used to predict weather changes in 6 to 12 hours.An Altostratus cloud usually covers the whole sky. The cloud looks gray or blue-gray. The sun or moon may shine through an Altostratus cloud, but will appear hazy. An altostratus cloud usually forms ahead of storms with continuous rain or snow.Altocumulus clouds are grayish-white with one part of the cloud darker than the other. Altocumulus clouds usually form in groups. If you see Altocumulus clouds on a warm, sticky morning, be prepared for thunderstorms by late afternoon.Low clouds, called stratus clouds, are at altitudes up to 6,500 feet. These clouds form a solid sheet or layer of cloud mass.Stratus clouds are uniform gray in color and almost cover the entire sky. Light mist or drizzle is sometimes associated with Stratus clouds. A Stratus cloud touching the ground is fog.Stratocumulus clouds are low, puffy and gray. Most form in rows with blue sky visible in between. Rain rarely occurs with Stratocumulus clouds, however, they can turn into Nimbostratus.Nimbostratus clouds are dark gray with a ragged base. Rain or snow is associated with Nimbostratus clouds.Clouds with vertical growthVertically developing clouds are the Cumulus(puffy) type. These small, lumpy clouds are low "fair weather" clouds. However, as they develop vertically (up) they may go from small, fair weather clouds to large, boiling, vertically-growing monsters called cumulonimbus.Cumulonimbusare generally known as thunderstorm clouds. High winds will flatten the top of the cloud into an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. The anvil usually points in the direction the storm is moving.If you still can't remember all of the cloud names and formations, you can always watch the clouds for two things that indicate a high probability of a storm:A "lowering ceiling": This means that the height of the stratus (flat) clouds gets lower and lower. As the ceiling lowers you will see clouds in the following order:CirrusCirrostratusAltostratusStratusNimbostratus - storm clouds!If you see this happening, calmly tell the skipper "I believe we should head back now because I have observed increasingly lower cloud formations from cirrostratus to altostratus to stratus - and you know what THAT means!" (Right!)Watch for cumulus (puffy) clouds that start to rapidly develop vertically (up) to become cumulonimbus thunderstorm clouds. On hot and humid days, these storms occur over water as the radiant heat from the land absorbs moisture from nearby water and rises to produce thunderheads.This is an example of a cumulus cloud that is growing vertically (up). The bottom of the cloud is made of water droplets and the top is made of ice crystals. The cloud may be described as "boiling" but not because it's hot. Parts of the cloud roll in a circular motion, much like boiling water.A thunderstorm could develop very quickly.To sum it up; flat clouds getting lower or puffy clouds getting higher - keep your eye out for a storm.Other things to look for that indicate an approaching weather change:Weather changes generally come from the west/southwest so scan the sky with your weather eye, especially to the west.A sudden drop in temperature and change in the wind (increasing winds and/or seas) often means that a storm is near.If you have a barometer on your boat check it every two to three hours. A rapid drop in pressure means a storm is approaching.IF A STORM IS NEAR… The Most Important Thing for you to do is PUT ON YOUR LIFE JACKET. Stay low in the boat so you don't become a lightning rod! Help the skipper by maintaining a watch for other boats and floating stuff in the water and by fastening down loose gear, hatches and ports.
Because when water goes into the air it enters the clouds and the water starts to build up which causes the clouds to turn gray. hope this helps :)
- Dark dense, low clouds. - sky is usually a dark clolour. - Darkness comes from a large amount of moisture up in the clouds. - Almost always a sign of rainor thundershowers. - They form from cumulus clouds and are usually tall. - Form when air is cooled.
Stratus
The type of cloud that creates a uniform flat gray sky is called stratus clouds. These low, thick clouds often cover the entire sky, leading to overcast conditions and can result in light rain or drizzle. Stratus clouds typically appear as a continuous layer, giving the sky a dull, gray appearance. They are often associated with stable weather conditions.
The cloud that creates a uniform flat gray sky is typically stratus. These low, layered clouds often cover the entire sky, blocking sunlight and resulting in overcast conditions. Stratus clouds can bring light drizzle or mist but usually do not produce significant precipitation. Their consistent gray appearance can create a dull, monotonous sky.
The cloud that creates a uniform flat gray sky is typically the stratus cloud. Stratus clouds are low, thick clouds that cover the sky like a blanket, often leading to overcast conditions and light precipitation. They can create a dull, featureless sky that lacks the contrast found in other cloud types.
Stratus
The type of cloud that often creates a uniform flat gray sky is called stratus clouds. These clouds form in even layers, typically at low altitudes, and can cover the entire sky, leading to overcast conditions. Stratus clouds are associated with light drizzle or mist but generally do not produce heavy precipitation. Their presence can give the sky a dull, featureless appearance.
The clouds that are flat and gray are typically stratus clouds. These clouds form in uniform layers and can cover the entire sky, often leading to overcast conditions. They can produce light drizzle or mist but generally do not bring heavy precipitation. Stratus clouds often create a dull, gray appearance in the atmosphere.
Stratus clouds are low-lying clouds that often appear gray and can cover the sky like a blanket. They are associated with overcast or gloomy weather conditions.
A flat gray layer of heavy clouds not far above the ground is typically referred to as a "stratus cloud." These clouds are characterized by their uniform, low-lying appearance and often bring overcast skies and light precipitation, such as drizzle or mist. Stratus clouds can create a gloomy atmosphere and limit visibility, particularly in foggy conditions.
The clouds you are referring to are called stratus clouds. They are characterized by their uniform gray appearance and often create overcast skies, which can bring light rain or drizzle. Stratus clouds typically form at low altitudes and can extend over large areas, blocking sunlight.
Altostratus clouds derive their name from Latin, where "alto" means "high" and "stratus" refers to a layered or flat appearance. These clouds typically form at mid-level altitudes, between 6,500 and 23,000 feet, and often appear as a gray or blue-gray layer that can cover the sky. The name reflects both their altitude and their characteristic flat, uniform appearance.
The lowest level of clouds is called "stratus clouds." These are typically uniform, gray in color, and can cover the sky like a blanket.