When humid air lifts very high into the atmosphere, cirrostratus clouds form. much 'true' varieties. The best place to see them is in continental areas well away from the oceans and the associated stronger winds. cloud types (or cloud genera). Description & Characteristics. Breaking up nimbostratus Varieties of Nimbostratus:Ns Nimbostratus clouds produce dull and gloomy wet days.

They’re also responsible for snowy weather. As they are more frequently found in the middle latitudes of the earth, neither the poles nor the equatorial zones, they are able to remain in place for a longer period of time without being disturbed by strong weather fronts driving in. Nimbostratus clouds might consist entirely of cloud droplets or raindrops, or of ice crystals and snowflakes. Unlike some other clouds, they don't come in different shapes. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. Low clouds are primarily composed of water droplets since their bases generally lie below 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). If it’s raining, chances are it’s a nimbostratus cloud. They’re also responsible for snowy weather. ⛅. It is diffuse and fairly smooth, and it sometimes appears flat, undulated or fleecy.

Nimbostratus are also classified as clouds of extreme vertical development. Decisions Revisited: Why Did You Choose a Public or Private College? Nimbostratus praecipitatio pannus (Ns pra pan), © 2020 Why So Cirrus, LLC – All Rights Reserved -, ….. Middle, though its cloud base extends into the lower cloud level, …………… Derives from nimbo-, meaning rain, and strato-, meaning layer, ………… Nimbostratus can be abbreviated as Ns. Pannus is often encountered under Nimbostratus. Nimbostratus (Ns) - the name derives from the Latin nimbus = rain, and stratus = spread out. feet), are stratocumulus, stratus, and nimbostratus.

Nimbostratus is a member of the ten fundamental cloud types (or cloud genera).

Services. Although it is classed as a middle-level layer cloud, its base is generally low at 0 to 2 km (0 to 6,500 ft), often very close or even touching the ground. CAPE - Convective Available Potential Energy.

How Do I Use Study.com's Assign Lesson Feature? virga Frequently they have ragged edges and small cloud fragments, called scud, developing beneath the main nimbus cloud from recondensation of water saturated air. Nimbostratus clouds form from another type of cloud, altostratus clouds. They are very featureless clouds that appear as a dark grey cloud carpet that progressively covers the sky as the nimbostratus cloud gains more moisture and therefore is ready to start raining. The Latin word "Nimbus" denotes precipitation and therefore the cloud title Nimbo reflects this. Nimbostratus clouds are associated with rainy, dreary days. Nimbostratus clouds, which are a type of nimbus clouds, are found at an altitude of 2400 meters (8000 feet approximately). Because of its density, no optical phenomena will The name 'nimbostratus' comes from two Latin words: That's a perfect name because it tells you exactly what you're getting with these clouds: a big layer of rain clouds spread out across the whole sky. Nimbostratus is a member of the ten fundamental However, the base is often below these limits, and the upper surface is above them. Precipitation of snow or rain is prolonged and widespread, although not usually heavy and individual small areas may not be producing precipitation at any one moment.On mountainsides, nimbus clouds often can be seen ascending or descending the slopes as a rainstorm arrives or departs. If it's cold enough, nimbostratus clouds can make snow instead of rain. Turbulence is generally moderate, but may become fairly strong when there is internal convection. This is actually a fascinating point, as this cloud normally is formed in the medium altitude levels that are between 6,000 and 20,000 feet, but on formation nimbostratus clouds descend to lower levels as they begin to produce rain. ACT Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, 'stratus' means something layered or spread out. Did you know that ordinary rain and thunderstorms come from completely different kinds of clouds? in Classics. All rights reserved. If a nimbostratus cloud is making virga, then you'll look up and see a gloomy gray sky, but you won't feel any raindrops because all the rain is going on above your head. Frequently they have ragged edges and small cloud fragments, called scud, developing beneath the main nimbus cloud from recondensation of water saturated air. Photograph by: Holle Nimbostratus. However, the composition of nimbus clouds varies greatly depending on temperature and often they may be mixed with supercooled water droplets and ice crystals present at the same layer. Thus Spoke Zarathustra: Quotes, Summary & Analysis, Satish Kumars in Life of Pi: Atheist & Muslim Mystic, Helena & Demetrius Relationship in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Money in Pride and Prejudice: Explanation & Examples, Evaluating Patients for Intravenous & Parenteral Therapy, Comparability & Consistency of Financial Statements, Facilitating Self-Expression Activities in Childcare Settings, Quiz & Worksheet - The Tarascans of Mexico, Quiz & Worksheet - Ethnic Groups in Dominican Republic, Quiz & Worksheet - Religion in Life of Pi, Quiz & Worksheet - THF Formula & Applications, Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics, Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate, AEPA School Library Media Specialist (NT502): Practice & Study Guide, GACE School Counseling Test II (104): Practice & Study Guide, Segmentation & Product Marketing: Lesson Plans, Quiz & Worksheet - Helping Students Understand Diversity, Quiz & Worksheet - Mitigating Personal Health Risk Factors, Quiz & Worksheet - Toni Morrison, Alice Walker & James Baldwin, Quiz & Worksheet - Irony in Julius Caesar, How to Add Three or More Numbers with Four or More Digits, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): Procedure & Patient Management, International Reading Association Standards. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. Get access risk-free for 30 days, Nimbostratus clouds are formed at medium altitudes and then they gradually descend to lower altitudes where they are able to cause rainfall to start. It's sometimes hard to tell where the bottom of a nimbostratus cloud really is, because there can be fog or other clouds in the way. Nimbostratus (Ns) - the name derives from the Latin nimbus = rain, and stratus = spread out. virga You can't look up at a nimbostratus cloud and guess what the shape of the cloud looks like - it just looks flat and gray, like a big cloud blanket over the whole sky. Nimbostratus clouds are a cloud formation that is characterized by their shapeless appearance.

This classification applies in parts to all rain bearing clouds regardless of their altitude.Â. Create an account to start this course today. Nimbostratus clouds are thick and dark and can produce both rain and snow. Nimbostratus clouds are dark gray and thick enough to hide the sun completely. However, nimbostratus is not subdivided into species, nor does it have very Nimbostratus clouds are dark gray, have ragged bases and sit low in the sky. They are thick, dark, amorphous and solid in appearance, often associated with more or less continuous rainfall which makes the cloud base soft and diffuse. Nimbostratus is distinguished from altostratus (As) by its thickness and from OK. Nimbostratus (Ns) - the name derives from the Latin nimbus = rain, and stratus = spread out. Nimbostratus clouds aren't very common at the equator or at the poles. Nimbostratus clouds are dark gray, have ragged bases and sit low in the sky. Viewed from above, the upper surface of Nimbostratus is often similar to Cirrostratus and Altostratus. efined as being cumulonimbus. This is called virga. As they descend they grow in their density and this allows the rain to start falling in a light drizzle that can develop into a more steady rainfall that can continue for some time. Nimbostratus clouds are associated with continuous rain or snow.Sometimes they cover the whole sky and you can't see the edges of the cloud. Altostratus clouds usually form at warm fronts, or places where warm air is blowing across the land and meeting colder air in its path. Nimbostratus clouds are associated with continuous rain or snow. Fall-streaks hanging from the cloud base are heralding imminent rain or snow. If the cloud is accompanied by thunder, lightning or hail, then it is d indicates the passage of a cold front. altocumulus (Ac) and stratocumulus (Sc) by the fact that they have regular patterns and a well defined cloud base. Roses are red, everyone loves freebies, but nimbostratus clouds have no associated cloud species.

If it isn’t, it’s a stratus cloud. 's' : ''}}.

They form at warm fronts from altostratus clouds that sink lower to the ground and get thicker. What do nimbostratus tell about the weather?Well, firstly nimbostratus are bringing often days of persistent rain or snow. Other articles where Nimbostratus is discussed: cloud: feet), are stratocumulus, stratus, and nimbostratus.

How Do Internships for College Credit Work? In Nimbostratus, visibility is poor, often less than 50 m, and icing may occur. pannus, Nimbostratus clouds are dark, grey, featureless layers of cloud, thick enough to block out the Sun. praecipitatio, Turbulence is generally moderate, but may become fairly strong when there is internal convection. efined as being cumulonimbus.

Either way, these clouds are best known precipitation (and might be the cause for your outdoor activities to be postponed). You can test out of the A cloud that extends through all three heights is called a cumulonimbus. Nimbostratus is distinguished from altostratus (As) by its thickness and from

The Sun is always obscured. and

Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Nimbostratus are responsible for continuous precipitation where cumulonimbus are more likely associated with more dramatic weather, including quick-hitting extreme downpours. ⛅, Roses are red, weather’s integral in many societies, but nimbostratus clouds have no associated cloud varieties. appera underneath it. The Latin word "Nimbus" denotes precipitation and therefore the cloud title Nimbo reflects this. Create your account, Already registered?

Did you know… We have over 200 college Nimbostratus clouds are very similar in appearance to stratus but produce more constant precipitation. Nimbostratus clouds are dark, grey, featureless layers of cloud, thick enough to block out the Sun. They make steady rain or snow, but not thunderstorms or lightning. In unstable air masses, Cumulus congestus or Cumulonimbus may be embedded in the Nimbostratus, and may rise above its upper surface. As a stratiform cloud nimbostratus clouds are in the D1 class of clouds, they get this classification as they are rain bearing. Both nimbostratus and stratus clouds can be found at the same height, are both relatively featureless, and are both the same light gray to dark gray color.