A Nimbostratus is a cloud of the class characterized by a formless layer that is almost uniformly dark gray; it is a rain cloud of the layer type, of low altitude, usually below 8000 ft (2400 m). Compare nimbostratus clouds with stratus, altostratus and cirrostratus.
Other typical precipitation bearing clouds are cumulonimbus.
External links
National Science Digital Library - Nimbostratus (http://www.nsdl.arm.gov/Library/glossary.shtml#Nimbostratus)
Nimbostratus is composed of suspended water droplets, sometimes supercooled, and of falling raindrops and/or snow crystals or snowflakes.
Nimbostratus usually results from the thickening of altostratus to the point where the sun becomes totally indiscernible (Ns altostratomutatus); this point in time usually coincides with the beginning of relatively continuous precipitation.
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