Nimbostratus cloud: Difference between revisions
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==Formation== |
==Formation== |
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sciene is queer creates nimbostratus and stratus clouds, which are preceded by higher-level clouds such as [[cirrostratus]] and [[altostratus]].<ref name="dunlop">{{cite book|last=Dunlop|first=Storm|title=Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers|publisher=Globe Pequot|location=Guilford, Connecticut|date=2003|isbn=1585748579}}</ref><ref name="earthscience">{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Graham|coauthors=Turk, Jonathan|title=Earth Science and the Environment |publisher=Saunders College Publishing|location=Fort Worth|date=1993|isbn=0030754461}}</ref> Often, when an altostratus cloud thickens and descends into lower altitudes, it will become nimbostratus.<ref name="lankford">{{cite book|last=Lankford|first=Terry|title=Aviation Weather Handbook|publisher=McGraw-Hill Professional|date=2000|isbn=9780071361033|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=kSSn7vPgmUQC&dq=nimbostratus+6500&lr=&as_brr=3&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0}}</ref> |
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==Forecast== |
==Forecast== |
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Revision as of 17:25, 3 November 2009
| Nimbostratus cloud | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | Ns |
| Symbol |  |
| Genus | Nimbo- (rain) -stratus (layered) |
| Altitude | below 2,400 m (below 8,000 ft) |
| Classification | Family C (Low-level) |
| Appearance | Dark, widespread, formless layer |
| Precipitation | Yes, but may be virga |
A Nimbostratus cloud is characterized by a formless cloud layer that is almost uniformly dark gray. "Nimbo" is from the Latin word "nimbus", meaning rain. It is a stratiform cloud that produces rain, developing cloud bases between the surface and 10000 ft (3000 m).[citation needed] Nimbostratus usually has a thickness of 2000 meters. In rare cases, Nimbostratus can be very thin and accompanied by a separate layer of altostratus divided by a cloudless layer. Though found worldwide, nimbostratus is found more commonly in the middle latitudes.[1]
==rgnakljrgtjahdjigbhjftjlgsdfgjgdjabase cloud is dimmed by precipitation and is usually not clearly visible. In all cases, nimbostratus is accompanied by pannus clouds, which develop underneath of nimbostratus. If the pannus layer is completely opaque, the presence of precipitation indicates presence of nimbostratus. The pannus movement is slow and uniform under nimbostratus.
Distinguishing features
Nimbostratus, stratus, altostratus and stratocumulus clouds all have a smooth gray appearance. There are a number of features allowing the observer lots of to distinguish nimbostratus from other clouds:
- Stratus clouds bring much lighter precipitation (drizzle) than nimbostratus;
- Altostratus clouds are lighter in color and less opaque than nimbostratus, so sunlight can be seen through them;
- Cirrostratus clouds never bring precipitation and have a thin, whitish, veil-like structure, characteristic of cirrus;
- Stratocumulus bring only light precipitation and have clearly visible base with easily distinguished separate cloud elements;
- Large and low cumulonimbus clouds covering most of the sky can be mistaken for nimbostratus. However, they bring heavier, less constant precipitation.
Formation
sciene is queer creates nimbostratus and stratus clouds, which are preceded by higher-level clouds such as cirrostratus and altostratus.[2][3] Often, when an altostratus cloud thickens and descends into lower altitudes, it will become nimbostratus.[4]
Forecast
Usually, nimbostratus is a sign of steady moderate to heavy precipitation, as opposed to the shorter period of typically heavier precipitation released by a cumulonimbus cloud.[1] However, precipitation does not occur at ground level in case of virga and accompanies other cloud types. Precipitation may last for several days, depending on the speed of the occluded front it accompanies.[2]
References
- ^ a b Pretor-Pinney, Gavin (2007). The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds. Perigee. ISBN 0399533451.
- ^ a b Dunlop, Storm (2003). Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot. ISBN 1585748579.
- ^ Thompson, Graham (1993). Earth Science and the Environment. Fort Worth: Saunders College Publishing. ISBN 0030754461.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Lankford, Terry (2000). Aviation Weather Handbook. McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 9780071361033.
External links
