Stratus Clouds: Low, Featureless Layer
Definition: Gray, featureless low-altitude layer cloud capable of ground contact
Description & Characteristics. When you think of a cloudy, dreary day, you might have stratus clouds on your mind. Stratus clouds are blanket clouds that sit low to the ground, and on occasion, come in contact with the ground, better known as fog. If you live in a city with tall buildings, you might know stratus clouds by their ability to obscure the tops of buildings
These clouds only have two species associated with them: nebulosus and fractus. Stratus nebulosus clouds are arguably the dullest of the clouds out there. They’re featureless, lack detail, and probably wouldn’t be considered picturesque (unless you’re taking pictures in a graveyard, or if it’s dissipating fog). Stratus fractus aren’t exactly picturesque either, but at least there’s a little detail, as these clouds are broken up shards of stratus clouds.
Depending on the conditions, stratus clouds can mask the sun (opacus cloud variety), though sometimes the sun can be observed (translucidus cloud variety). Additionally, you can see wavelike, undulating features in them (undulatus cloud variety). Regardless, stratus clouds aren’t the most memorable memorable cloud and often leave you wishing for sunnier days.
Stratus Cloud Facts
Cloud Level (Étage): Low
Altitude/Height: 0-2km (0-7,000 ft)
Latin Term: Derives from strato-, meaning layer
Abbreviation: Stratus can be abbreviated as St
Cloud Color: Gray to dark gray
Precipitation Potential: Uncommon
Sky Cover: Cloudy to mostly cloudy
Cloud Frequency: Common
Stratus Cloud Species
Stratus clouds have two associated cloud species: fractus and nebulosus.
Ragged, broken up
Full of vapor, lacking detail
Stratus Cloud Varieties
Stratus clouds have three associated cloud varieties: opacus, translucidus, and undulatus.
Opaque, masks the sun
See-through, sun’s position visible
Wavelike, undulating
Stratus Cloud Supplementary Features
Stratus clouds have two associated supplementary features: fluctus and praecipitatio.
Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, curls
Precipitation reaching the surface
Stratus Cloud Accessories & Other Clouds
Stratus clouds don’t have any associated accessory clouds, but they do have three other clouds associated with the cloud type: cataractagenitus, homogenitus, and silvagenitus. ⛅
Waterfall condensation and spray
Caused by human activity
Evaporation from a forest
Similar Cloud Types
Both altostratus clouds and stratus clouds are both layer clouds, so they can certainly look the same. Altostratus clouds are higher in altitude though, which means they won’t touch the ground or mask the tops of tall buildings like a stratus cloud would. When deciding between these clouds, if you can see further off in the distance, chances are likely that you’re looking at an altostratus cloud..
Stratus vs. Altostratus
Both stratus and stratocumulus 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.
Stratus vs. Stratocumulus
Both stratus and nimbostratus 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.