What do stratocumulus clouds mean?
Stratocumulus clouds are hybrids of layered stratus and cellular cumulus, i.e., individual cloud elements, characteristic of cumulo type clouds, clumped together in a continuous distribution, characteristic of strato type clouds. Stratocumulus also can be thought of as a layer of cloud clumps with thick and thin areas.
What causes stratocumulus cloud?
Like all other types of clouds, stratocumulus clouds are condensed water droplets. They are formed when warm, moist air rises into the atmosphere. As air continues to rise, it cools. Since cool air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air, the water condenses onto tiny dust particles that are floating in the air.
What level is a stratocumulus cloud?
low-level
What are stratocumulus clouds? Stratocumulus clouds are low-level clumps or patches of cloud varying in colour from bright white to dark grey. They are the most common clouds on earth recognised by their well-defined bases, with some parts often darker than others.
What is the difference between cumulus and stratocumulus?
Cumulus. Both stratocumulus and cumulus clouds are found at the same height, but stratocumulus clouds are more of a layer cloud than a cumulus cloud, usually found in conjoined groups or clumps of clouds. Additionally, stratocumulus clouds are generally darker than cumulus clouds.
What does stratocumulus mean in Latin?
Stratocumulus. From the Latin stratus and cumulus. Stratus. From the Latin stratus, past participle of the verb sternere, which means to extend, to spread out, to flatten out, to cover with a layer. Cumulus.
What weather do stratocumulus clouds bring?
Most often, stratocumulus produce no precipitation, and when they do, it is generally only light rain or snow. However, these clouds are often seen at either the front or tail end of worse weather, so they may indicate storms to come, in the form of thunderheads or gusty winds.
Do stratocumulus clouds have rain?
Stratocumulus clouds are present in all types of weather. They can be seen in extremely rainy conditions and are also indicators of warm, dry weather. People often misinterpret the stratocumulus clouds as rain clouds, whereas they produce nothing more than a light shower of rain when they precipitate.
What altitude do stratocumulus clouds form?
between 1,000 and 4,000ft
Stratocumulus. This cloud often occurs at altitudes between 1,000 and 4,000ft, though sometimes may be higher. While not generally producing precipitation these clouds may produce drizzle, particularly in hilly or coastal areas, and may be thick enough to obscure the sun or moon.