Stratocumulus cloud

Stratocumulus clouds
Aerial photograph of Stratocumulus perlucidus clouds over the midwestern United States
AbbreviationSc
Symbol
GenusStratocumulus (layer heap)
Species
  • Castellanus
  • Floccus
  • Lenticularis
  • Stratiformis
  • Volutus
Variety
  • Duplicatus
  • Lacunosus
  • Opacus
  • Perlucidus
  • Radiatus
  • Translucidus
  • Undulatus
Altitude500-2,000 m
(2,000-7,000 ft)
ClassificationFamily C (Low-level)
AppearanceThicker, dark gray, and somewhat conjoined heaps of clouds.
PrecipitationUncommon Rain, Snow or Snow pellets

A stratocumulus cloud, occasionally called a cumulostratus, belongs to a genus-type of clouds characterized by large dark, rounded masses, usually in groups, lines, or waves, the individual elements being larger than those in altocumulus, and the whole being at a lower height, usually below 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).[1][2] Weak convective currents create shallow cloud layers (see also: sea of clouds) because of drier, stable air above preventing continued vertical development. Historically, in English, this type of cloud has been referred to as a twain cloud for being a combination of two types of clouds.

  1. ^ World Meteorological Organization, ed. (1975). Stratocumulus, International Cloud Atlas. Vol. I. pp. 39–42. ISBN 92-63-10407-7. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  2. ^ "International cloud atlas–Definitions of clouds". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 25 September 2018.