What are the characteristics of stratus cloud?
Stratus clouds are uniform and flat, producing a gray layer of cloud cover which may be precipitation-free or may cause periods of light precipitation or drizzle.
What is a description for stratus?
More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, hazy, featureless clouds at low altitudes varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. The word stratus comes from the Latin prefix strato-, meaning “layer”. Stratus clouds may produce a light drizzle or a small amount of snow.
What are three facts about stratus clouds?
Here are some interesting facts about stratus clouds:
- Stratus clouds have flat layers and uniform bases, with no visible clumps or lumps.
- They produce light precipitation in terms of drizzle and snow.
- They accompany foggy weather conditions.
- Stratus clouds can last for about 6 to 12 hours in the atmosphere.
How do you identify stratus clouds?
Stratus clouds are uniform grayish clouds that often cover the sky. Usually no precipitation falls from stratus clouds, but they may drizzle. When a thick fog “lifts,” the resulting clouds are low stratus.
What are the 3 types of stratus clouds?
Stratus Cloud Varieties Stratus clouds have three associated cloud varieties: opacus, translucidus, and undulatus.
What are 2 characteristics of cumulus clouds?
- Cumulus clouds are clouds which have flat bases and are often described as “puffy”, “cotton-like” or “fluffy” in appearance.
- Cumulus clouds are often precursors of other types of clouds, such as cumulonimbus, when influenced by weather factors such as instability, moisture, and temperature gradient.
What kind of weather do stratus clouds bring?
What weather is associated with stratus clouds? Stratus is usually accompanied by little to no rainfall but if it is thick enough, it can produce light drizzle. This drizzle can also fall in the form of light snow if cold enough.
What does stratus clouds look like?
Stratus cloud often look like thin, white sheets covering the whole sky. Since they are so thin, they seldom produce much rain or snow. Sometimes, in the mountains or hills, these clouds appear to be fog. Cumulonimbus clouds grow on hot days when warm, wet air rises very high into the sky.
What is an interesting fact about stratus clouds?
Stratus clouds are low altitude gray clouds that make a flat base. The name comes from the Latin word stratus, which means to “stretch” or “extend.” You can see stratus clouds as thick cloud blankets near the sea. They are sometimes called “high fogs”. Light rain and drizzle often fall from stratus clouds.
What is stratus clouds look like?
What are the main characteristics of Cirrus cumulus and stratus clouds?
The main characteristics of cirrus, cumulus, and stratus clouds are:
- Cirrus clouds are wispy clouds. They are located so high in the sky that they are formed by ice crystals.
- Cumulus clouds are the clouds that look like cotton balls in the sky. They are very fluffy.
- Stratus clouds are like flat sheets of paper.
What is a description of cumulus clouds?
Cumulus clouds are detached, individual, cauliflower-shaped clouds usually spotted in fair weather conditions. The tops of these clouds are mostly brilliant white tufts when lit by the Sun, although their base is usually relatively dark.
Which is the best description of a stratus cloud?
More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, hazy, featureless clouds of low altitude varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. The word “stratus” comes from the Latin prefix “strato-“, meaning “layer”.
How are stratocumulus clouds similar to cumulus clouds?
A stratocumulus cloud is another type of a cumuliform or stratiform cloud. Like stratus clouds, they form at low levels; but like cumulus clouds, they form via convection. Unlike cumulus clouds, their growth is almost completely retarded by a strong inversion, causing them to flatten out like stratus clouds and giving them a layered appearance.
How does the Arctic stratus affect the environment?
According to Sednev, Menon, and McFarquhar, Arctic stratus and other low-level clouds form roughly 50% of the annual cloud cover in Arctic regions, causing a large effect on the energy emissions and absorptions through radiation.
What makes a stratus cloud a misty fog?
They typically form as a warm front moves in and warmer air meets areas where the ground temperature is cooler. The amount of moisture in a stratus cloud determines the size and thickness of the cloud. They often have a lot of moisture and can make it feel like you are in a misty fog.