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Stratus

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What clouds cover the sky and are layered?

Layered or stratified clouds are stratus clouds. These types of clouds are low-lying gray clouds that sit under 6,000 feet.


What do nimbostratus clouds look like?

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.


What are low flying clouds called?

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.


Why do shadows have blurry edges?

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 :)


How high is a nimbus cloud?

- 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.

Related Questions

Which is a type of clouds that creates a uniform flat gray sky.?

Stratus


Which is a type of cloud that creates a uniform flat gray skys?

Stratus


Which is a type of clouds that creates a flat gray sky?

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.


What is a flat gray layer of heavy clouds not far above the ground?

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.


What is the lowest level of clouds called?

The lowest level of clouds is called "stratus clouds." These are typically uniform, gray in color, and can cover the sky like a blanket.


What are two types of low level clouds?

Cumulus and stratus clouds are two types of low level clouds. Cumulus clouds are puffy and white with a flat base, usually indicating fair weather. Stratus clouds are uniform, gray layers that can cover the sky and often bring overcast conditions and light precipitation.


What is the term used to describe clouds with precipitation?

Clouds with precipitation are often referred to as nimbostratus clouds. These clouds are characterized by their uniform, thick, gray layers that produce steady rain or snow.


What cloud that is somewhat flat and layered is called?

A cloud that is somewhat flat and layered is called a stratocumulus cloud. These clouds often appear as a low-lying layer of cloud cover with a uniform gray or white appearance. They are generally associated with stable atmospheric conditions.


Are stratus clouds wispy and high in the sky?

No, they are flat, hazy, featureless clouds of low altitude varying in color from dark gray to nearly white.


What are the two types of low level clouds?

The two types of low-level clouds are stratus clouds, which are gray, uniform layers covering the sky, and cumulus clouds, which are fluffy white clouds that typically indicate fair weather.


What is a description for a stratus cloud?

A stratus cloud is a low-level cloud that appears as a uniform gray layer with a flat, featureless shape. These clouds typically cover the sky like a blanket, leading to overcast conditions. Stratus clouds are often associated with light drizzle or mist.


What happens to nimbostratus clouds?

Stratus clouds occur below 6,000 feet. These clouds look like flat sheets of clouds, and can mean an overcast or rainy day. These clouds are usally a uniform color of gray, and cover most of the sky. Nimbo, just means rain for hail so put Nimbo and strtus together and Nimbosrtatus clouds are just what i said above but, just with rain or hail.