Nimbostratus Clouds

"Nimbo" is from the Latin word "nimbus", meaning rain, and stratus means sheet, so nimbostratus is a sheet cloud from which rain or snow is falling, usually continuously.

Nimbostratus forms when warm, moist air is lifted steadily over a large area. Nimbostratus usually has a thickness of about 2000 meters.

Nimbostratus are dark, low-level clouds accompanied by light to moderately falling precipitation.The layer is thick enough to block out the sun.

Low clouds are primarily composed of water droplets since their bases generally lie below 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). However, when temperatures are cold enough, these clouds may also contain ice particles and snow.

The base of a nimbostratus cloud is dimmed by precipitation and is usually not clearly visible.

Nimbostratus Clouds - Weather - Chandlers Ford - Hampshire - Chandlers Ford Community Website