NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Stratus cloud

A stratus cloud (St) is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base, as opposed to convective clouds that are as tall or taller than wide (these are termed cumulus clouds). More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, featureless clouds of low altitude varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. These clouds are essentially fog that is above ground level and are formed either through the lifting of morning fog or when cold air moves at low altitudes over a region. These clouds do not usually bring precipitation, although if sufficiently low in altitude to become fog, drizzle or mist may result. A Stratus cloud is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base, as opposed to convective clouds that are as tall or taller than wide (these are termed Cumulus clouds). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1287x894, 872 KB)An ice covered field with thick Stratus Clouds. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... // High-level clouds Cirrus Clouds (from above) Abbreviation: Ci Cirrus clouds form above 16,500 feet (5,000 m), in the cold region of the troposphere. ... â€¹ The template below (Unit of length) is being considered for deletion. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, â€² â€“ a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Cumulus mediocris clouds, as seen from a plane window. ... // High-level clouds Cirrus Clouds (from above) Abbreviation: Ci Cirrus clouds form above 16,500 feet (5,000 m), in the cold region of the troposphere. ... Cumulus mediocris clouds, as seen from a plane window. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Golden Gate Bridge in Fog Evening fog obscures Londons Tower Bridge from passers by. ...

Stratus formations that are accompanied by precipitation are known as nimbostratus. Stratus formations at higher altitudes include altostratus and cirrostratus. Cirrostratus clouds are sheet-like and composed of ice crystals. Though they can be several thousand feet thick and cover the entire sky, they are relatively transparent and the sun and moon are visible through them. One characteristic is that the sun and moon have a halo around them because of light refraction on the ice crystals. Nimbostratus has very few features. ... Altostratus is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus and darker than cirrostratus. ... Cirrostratus showing an extremely large halo. ...

References

Categories: Atmospheric science stubs | Cloud types Cumulus mediocris clouds, as seen from a plane window. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Cirrus uncinus is a type of cirrus cloud. ... A KHI on the planet Saturn, formed at the interaction of two bands of the planets atmosphere A KH instability rendered visible by clouds over Mount Duval in Australia Kelvinâ€“Helmholtz instability can occur when velocity shear is present within a continuous fluid or when there is sufficient velocity... Cirrostratus showing an extremely large halo. ... A cirrocumulus is a high-altitude cloud, usually occurring at 20,000-40,000 ft (6,000-12,000 m). ... A pileus (Latin for cap) is a small, horizontal cloud that can appear above a cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud, giving the parent cloud a characteristic hoodlike appearance. ... Contrails are condensation trails (sometimes vapour trails): artificial cirrus clouds made by the exhaust of aircraft engines or wingtip vortices which precipitate a stream of tiny ice crystals in moist, frigid upper air. ... Altostratus is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus and darker than cirrostratus. ... Image provided by Simon Eugster The altostratus undulatus is a type of low altocumulus cloud with signature undulations within it. ... Altocumulus (alto, high, cumulus, heaped) is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus. ... The altocumulus undulatus is a mid-level cloud (about 8000 - 20,000 ft or 2400 - 6100 m), usually white or grey with layers or patches containing undulations that resemble waves or ripples in water. ... A mackerel sky is an indicator of moisture (the cloud) and instability (the cumulus form) at intermediate levels (2400-6100 m, 8000-20,000 ft). ... Altocumulus Castellanus is a family B type cloud. ... Lenticular clouds, technically known as altocumulus standing lenticularis, are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, normally aligned at right-angles to the wind direction. ... Nimbostratus has very few features. ... Cumulus humilis is what is commonly referred to as fair weather cumulus. In hot countries and over mountainous terrain these clouds occur at up to 6000 meters altitude, though elsewhere they are typically found lower. ... Cumulus mediocris is a cloud form of the cumulus family, slightly larger in vertical development than Cumulus humilis. ... A stratocumulus cloud belongs to a class characterized by large dark, rounded masses, usually in groups, lines, or waves, the individual elements being larger than those in altocumuli, and the whole being at a lower altitude, usually below 2,400 m (8,000 ft). ... Cumulonimbus (Cb) is a type of cloud that is tall, dense, and involved in thunderstorms and other intense weather. ... A cumulonimbus incus cloud has a characteristic anvil-top shape. ... Cumulonimbus calvus is an moderately tall cumulonimbus cloud which is capable of precipitation, but has not yet reached the height where it forms into a cumulonimbus incus (anvil-top). ... Mammatus (also known as mamma or mammatocumulus, meaning breast-cloud) is a meteorological term applied to a cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud. ... Cumulus congestus clouds are characteristic of unstable areas of the atmosphere which are undergoing convection. ... Cumulus castellanus (from Latin castellanus, castle) is a type of cumulus cloud that is distinctive because it displays multiple towers arising from its top, indicating significant vertical air movement. ... Pyrocumulus, or fire cumulus, is a dense cumuliform cloud usually found at an altitude of 1500 m. ... The pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) is a type of cloud formed above a source of heat such as a wildfire or industrial plant. ...

References GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

References