nimbostratus
1
8.0
A thick low cloud layer that brings steady rain or snow
- noun
- /ˌnɪmboʊˈstrætəs/
- Specialized
:
nimbostratus
- During the winter, we often see nimbostratus clouds bringing continuous snowfall.
Examples
-
And by the look of those nimbostratus clouds--
-
If it says Nimbo or, you know, cumulonimbus or nimbostratus, that means it's raining.
-
A little cirrus and a touch of nimbostratus and a dash of cumulus.
-
The forecast predicts that heavy rain will come from the nimbostratus clouds overhead.
-
Nimbostratus clouds are known for producing steady rain, making them common in stormy weather.
Synonyms
rain cloud
vsnimbostratus
4
1.0
A dark grey cloud that brings rain
signals continuous steady precipitation rather than just likely rain
1
7.5
A dark grey cloud that brings rain
brings steady prolonged precipitation rather than occasional rain
1
4.4
A thick dark grey cloud that makes rain
produces long continuous precipitation rather than brief showers
How Thick
nimbostratus
1
8.0
- Specialized
1
8.0
stratus
1
5.9
- Specialized
1
5.9
altostratus
- Specialized
cirrostratus cloud
- Specialized
cirrus
2
7.0
- Specialized
2
7.0
Surface Forms
nimbostratus singular
nimbostrati plural
Morphology
Etymology
Nimbostratus comes from the Latin parts nimbus meaning 'rain' or 'rain cloud' and stratus meaning 'spread out' or 'layer'. So a nimbostratus is a low, thick 'rain layer' that spreads across the sky and brings steady rain or snow.