A report on Cloud and Altostratus cloud
Altostratus is a middle-altitude cloud genus made up of water droplets, ice crystals, or a mixture of the two.
- Altostratus cloudThe stratiform group is divided by altitude range into the genera cirrostratus (high-level), altostratus (mid-level), stratus (low-level), and nimbostratus (multi-level).
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Warm front
2 linksDensity discontinuity located at the leading edge of a homogeneous warm air mass, and is typically located on the equator-facing edge of an isotherm gradient.
Density discontinuity located at the leading edge of a homogeneous warm air mass, and is typically located on the equator-facing edge of an isotherm gradient.
As it cools, any water vapor that is present will condense and form extensive cloud cover.
A thickening and lowering of these high clouds into middle-stage altostratus or altocumulus is a good sign the warm front or low has moved closer and precipitation may begin within less than six hours.
Nimbostratus cloud
1 linksA nimbostratus cloud is a multi-level, amorphous, nearly uniform and often dark grey cloud that usually produces continuous rain, snow or sleet but no lightning or thunder.
Nimbostratus occurs along a warm front or occluded front where the slowly rising warm air mass creates nimbostratus along with shallower stratus clouds producing less rain, these clouds being preceded by higher-level clouds such as cirrostratus and altostratus.
Cirrus cloud
1 linksCirrus (cloud classification symbol: Ci) is a genus of high cloud made of ice crystals.
If it is a warm front, the cirrus clouds spread out into cirrostratus, which then thicken and lower into altocumulus and altostratus.
Stratocumulus cloud
0 linksA 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 2000 m. Weak convective currents create shallow cloud layers because of drier, stable air above preventing continued vertical development.
They also can occur under altostratus cloud preceding a warm or occluded front, when cumulus usually lose vertical development as the sun's heat decreases.