Clouds come in many forms, shapes, and sizes. Today we’ll be learning about Stratus clouds.
These Stratus clouds tend to be low altitude, pretty featureless and virtually cover the whole sky in a white or grey blanket. Its height of base (the lowest altitude of the visible part of the cloud) is 0 to 1,200ft. The shape of the cloud is usually layered and flattened out.
When the days are often overcast these are the clouds that cause it and can hang around for quite some time. With them being the lowest lying cloud type, they can sometimes appear in the form of mist and fog.
They form in calm, stable conditions and when cool and moist air is raised by gentle breezes over our cooler land and oceans.
There can be varying types of thicknesses, thick enough to darken the day as they block out the light and can last for days on end. Not really associated with rain but drizzle is possible if thick enough and on colder days light snow.
There are only 2 species to this type of cloud which is:
- Stratus Nebulosos: the thick dark layer which produces drizzle at times.
- Stratus Fractus: this is where the layer begins to break or dissipate
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