Nimbostratus Clouds: Precipitation Layer
Definition: Dark and featureless layer cloud responsible for rainy and snowy weather
Description & Characteristics. Nimbostratus clouds are associated with rainy, dreary days. They’re also responsible for snowy weather. Either way, these clouds are best known precipitation (and might be the cause for your outdoor activities to be postponed).
Though it’s difficult to tell visually, these clouds can be put into the category of multilevel clouds, meaning the base of a nimbostratus cloud can be found relatively close to the ground, but the tops of them can extend upwards into the middle cloud level. The thickness of a nimbostratus cloud helps give it a darker appearance than most.
Of the ten main cloud types, only two are consistent precipitation producers: nimbostratus and cumulonimbus. Nimbostratus are responsible for continuous precipitation where cumulonimbus are more likely associated with more dramatic weather, including quick-hitting extreme downpours. So if it’s raining, and has been raining all day, you’re witnessing a nimbostratus cloud.
Nimbostratus Cloud Facts
Cloud Level (Étage): Middle, though its cloud base extends into the lower cloud level
Altitude/Height: 0.5-5.5km (2,000-18,000 ft)
Latin Term: Derives from nimbo-, meaning rain, and strato-, meaning layer
Abbreviation: Nimbostratus can be abbreviated as Ns
Cloud Color: Light gray to very dark gray
Precipitation Potential: Always
Sky Cover: Cloudy to mostly cloudy
Cloud Frequency: Common
Nimbostratus Cloud Species
Roses are red, everyone loves freebies, but nimbostratus clouds have no associated cloud species.⛅
Nimbostratus Cloud Varieties
Roses are red, weather’s integral in many societies, but nimbostratus clouds have no associated cloud varieties.⛅
Nimbostratus Cloud Supplementary Features
Nimbostratus clouds have two associated supplementary features: praecipitatio and virga. ⛅
Precipitation reaching the surface
Evaporating rain strips
Nimbostratus Cloud Accessories & Other Clouds
Nimbostratus clouds have only one associated accessory cloud: pannus. ⛅
Ragged frazzles, scud
Similar Cloud Types
Both cumulonimbus clouds and nimbostratus clouds have precipitation, and when underneath the two, it might be tough to differentiate the two. If the precipitation is particularly heavy, or if the rain is accompanied by thunder, lightning, or other cloud features like a wall cloud (murus), shelf cloud (arcus), or a tail cloud (cauda), you’re under a cumulonimbus cloud..
Nimbostratus vs. Cumulonimbus
When deciding between nimbostratus and stratocumulus clouds, remember that nimbostratus clouds are associated with rain, whereas stratocumulus clouds only rain on the rarest of occasions. Nimbostratus clouds are generally featureless and don’t have any associated cloud species or varieties, while stratocumulus clouds have plenty to go around.
Nimbostratus vs. Stratocumulus
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. The biggest differentiator is that nimbostratus clouds contain rain, whereas stratus clouds only contain rain on the rarest of occasions. If it’s raining, chances are it’s a nimbostratus cloud. If it isn’t, it’s a stratus cloud.