How to identify stratus clouds
Gray, featureless low-altitude layer cloud capable of ground contact
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.
