Stratus clouds are the lowest type found
in the troposphere
; they are often found at ground level as fog or mist. Displaying a dull gray appearance, they rarely produce any precipitation.
Where are stratus clouds located in the atmosphere?
Stratus clouds occur
low in the troposphere
. They form in layers that spread horizontally and may cover the entire sky like a thick blanket. Stratus clouds that produce precipitation are called nimbostratus.
How far off the ground is a stratus cloud?
Stratus clouds, which are flat or layered, are much longer and wider than they are tall. Altostratus is a stratus cloud
about 2 miles above
the Earth. When these clouds rain or snow, they are called nimbostratus. Cirrostratus clouds lie at an altitude ofabout miles.
Where are stratus clouds formed?
Stratus clouds form in
calm, stable conditions when gentle breezes raise cool, moist air over colder land or ocean surfaces
. These clouds can exist in a variety of thicknesses and are sometimes opaque enough to darken days, allowing for little light to pass through.
What kind of weather do stratus clouds bring?
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
.
Is fog a cloud?
Fog is
a cloud that touches the ground
. … Fog shows up when water vapor, or water in its gaseous form, condenses. During condensation, molecules of water vapor combine to make tiny liquid water droplets that hang in the air. You can see fog because of these tiny water droplets.
Can clouds form anywhere?
Clouds can form
anywhere in the troposphere
, and although condensed liquid, they are light enough to float in the air and move from place to place by the wind.
How would you spot a stratus cloud?
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 is the closest type of cloud to the ground?
Below that is the home of mid-level clouds, which generally occur between 6,000 and 25,000 feet. Finally, closest to Earth’s surface are
low clouds
, which hover at or below 6,500 feet.
How does a stratus cloud 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 are the 4 major types of clouds?
- Cirro-form. The Latin word ‘cirro’ means curl of hair. …
- Cumulo-form. Generally detached clouds, they look like white fluffy cotton balls. …
- Strato-form. From the Latin word for ‘layer’ these clouds are usually broad and fairly wide spread appearing like a blanket. …
- Nimbo-form.
Are stratus clouds high or low?
Stratus clouds are
low-level clouds
characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base, as opposed to convective or cumuliform clouds that are formed by rising thermals.
When can you see a stratus cloud?
Found
at very low levels
(less than 2000 meters, or 6500 feet), stratus clouds are thick, large, heavy-looking gray clouds that dominate the sky. Precipitation normally does not occur with this cloud, although drizzle or mist may be observed.
Do clouds affect climate?
Clouds affect the
climate
but changes in the climate, in turn, affect the clouds. … Clouds warm or cool Earth’s atmosphere by absorbing heat emitted from the surface and radiating it to space. Clouds warm and dry Earth’s atmosphere and supply water to the surface by forming precipitation.
What do clouds tell us?
Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict fair to pleasant weather. By watching the movement of cirrus clouds you can tell from
which direction weather is approaching
. When you see cirrus clouds, it usually indicates that a change in the weather will occur within 24 hours. … The clouds usually cover the entire 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.
