Stratocumulus Clouds: Low, Puffy Layer
Definition: Thicker, low-altitude, and somewhat conjoined heaps of clouds
Description & Characteristics. You might consider stratocumulus clouds a mix of stratus clouds and cumulus clouds. Hence the name (strato- and cumulo- are latin for layer and heap, respectively). They’re a layer of puffy clouds, and can usually be found joined together, similar to altocumulus clouds. In a lot of ways, these clouds are like altocumulus clouds, but much closer to the ground.
Similar to altocumulus, stratocumulus clouds come in many different shapes and sizes and have a handful of associated species, varieties, and features, more than any of the ten main cloud types in fact. This arguably makes for exciting time watching the sky. They come in various cloud species that describe forms of rising turret formations (castellanus), wooly locks (floccus), smooth lens shaped (lenticularis), layer form blanketing the sky (stratiformis), and even as a roll cloud (volutus).
More dramatic versions of stratocumulus clouds include (but aren’t limited to) chaotic and wavy features (asperitas), sac-like features (mamma), and can even have the rare kelvin-helmholtz wave cloud (fluctus) association. It’s fair to say that stratocumulus clouds are diverse as they’re capable of many different looks.
Stratocumulus Cloud Facts
Cloud Level (Étage): Low
Altitude/Height: 0.5-2km (2,000-7,000 ft)
Latin Term: Derives from strato-, meaning layer, and cumulo-, meaning heap
Abbreviation: Stratocumulus can be abbreviated as Sc
Cloud Color: Light gray to dark gray
Precipitation Potential: Uncommon
Sky Cover: Mostly cloudy to mostly sunny
Cloud Frequency: Very common
Stratocumulus Cloud Species
Stratocumulus clouds have five associated cloud species: castellanus, floccus, lenticularis, stratiformis, and volutus.
Rising towers, turrets
Puffy, ragged tufts
Lens-shaped, resembling a UFO
Horizontal, layer-like form
Tube-shaped roll cloud
Stratocumulus Cloud Varieties
Stratus clouds have three associated cloud varieties: opacus, translucidus, and undulatus.
Multilayered
Perforated, round frayed holes
Opaque, masks the sun
Transparent by small gaps
Parallel bands and strips
See-through, sun’s position visible
Wavelike, undulating
Stratocumulus Cloud Supplementary Features
Stratus clouds have two associated supplementary features: fluctus and praecipitatio.
Chaotic, wavy underneath
Fallstreak hole, hole punch
Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, curls
Sac-like, resembling cow udders
Precipitation reaching the surface
Evaporating rain strips
Stratocumulus Cloud Accessories & Other Clouds
Stratocumulus clouds don’t have any accessory clouds or other clouds associated with this cloud type. ⛅
Similar Cloud Types
Altocumulus clouds are more closely related to stratocumulus clouds than they are to cumulus clouds. They share almost all of the same cloud species, cloud varieties, and other cloud features. Their altitude however differentiates them the most, with stratocumulus clouds being closer to the ground. Hence, stratocumulus cloud formations are seemingly bigger, and are generally a bit darker than altocumulus clouds.
Stratocumulus vs. Altocumulus
Altostratus clouds are generally a featureless layer cloud, whereas stratocumulus clouds have more detail. Remember, if you’re trying to decide between an altostratus and stratocumulus cloud, and the cloud being observed has been determined to have an associated cloud species, it’s not an altostratus cloud.
Stratocumulus vs. Altostratus
Both stratocumulus and cumulus clouds are found at the same height, but stratocumulus clouds are more of a layer cloud than a cumulus cloud, usually found in conjoined groups or clumps of clouds. Additionally, stratocumulus clouds are generally darker than cumulus clouds. It’s also important to note that both clouds don’t share any cloud species or varieties besides the radiatus cloud variety.
Stratocumulus vs. Cumulus
When deciding between stratocumulus and nimbostratus 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.
Stratocumulus vs. Nimbostratus
Both stratocumulus and stratus clouds are found at the same altitude. But if you’re deciding between a stratus and stratocumulus cloud, remember that stratus clouds are generally featureless layer clouds. On the contrary, stratocumulus clouds can contain plenty of features. Both clouds don’t share any of the same cloud species, which can help you decide between the two.