Stratus Clouds: Low, Featureless Layer

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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 nebulosus opacus (St neb op)
Stratus nebulosus (St neb)
Stratus (St), Altostratus (As)
Stratus nebulosus translucidus (St neb tr)
Stratus (St)
Stratus (St)
Stratus (St)
Stratus nebulosus opacus (St neb)
Stratus nebulosus opacus (St neb op)

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
A bar graph showing the visual color of a stratus cloud

Cloud Color

Gray to dark gray

A bar graph showing the precipitation potential of a stratus cloud

Precipitation Potential

Uncommon

A bar graph showing the amount of sky cover from a stratus cloud

Sky Cover

Cloudy to mostly cloudy

A bar graph showing how common observing a cirrostratus cloud might be

Cloud Frequency

Common

Stratus Cloud Species

Stratus clouds have two associated cloud species: fractus and nebulosus.

A graphical illustration of a stratus fractus cloud

Stratus fractus

Ragged, broken up

A graphical illustration of a stratus rebulosus cloud

Stratus nebulosus

Full of vapor, lacking detail

Stratus Cloud Varieties

Stratus clouds have three associated cloud varieties: opacus, translucidus, and undulatus.

A graphical illustration of a stratus opacus cloud

Stratus opacus

Opaque, masks the sun

A graphical illustration of a stratus translucidus cloud

Stratus translucidus

See-through, sun’s position visible

A graphical illustration of a stratus undulatus cloud

Stratus undulatus

Wavelike, undulating

Stratus Cloud Supplementary Features

Stratus clouds have two associated supplementary features: fluctus and praecipitatio.

A graphical illustration of a stratus fluctus cloud

Stratus fluctus

Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, curls

A graphical illustration of a stratus praecipitatio cloud

Stratus praecipitatio

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.

A graphical illustration of a stratus cataractagenitus cloud

Stratus cataractagenitus

Waterfall condensation and spray

A graphical illustration of a stratus homogenitus cloud

Stratus homogenitus

Caused by human activity

A graphical illustration of a stratus silvagenitus cloud

Stratus silvagenitus

Evaporation from a forest

Similar Cloud Types

Stratus vs. Altostratus

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’re able to see further off in the distance, chances are likely that you’re looking at an altostratus cloud.

Stratus vs. Stratocumulus

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. Nimbostratus

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.