How to Identify Stratus Clouds

Weather watchers learn by tracking stratus clouds, which can nearly touch the ground or appear to soar to the edge of space. In classifying cloud cover, "stratus" can mean flat cloud cover or low cloud cover, depending on how the term is used.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Waterproof Rain Gears
• Polaroid Cameras
• SLR Camera
• Binoculars Cases
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Tripod
• Cameras
• Digital Cameras
• Film
• Telescope Camera Adapters
• Telescope Tripods
• Telescopes
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Binoculars Straps
• Cameras

Looking for Stratus Clouds

1. Think "flat" when you're searching the sky for stratus clouds.

2. Look for an even cloud layer without the billowing associated with cumulus clouds.

3. Look for flat, thin wisps of clouds.

4. Learn the subclassifications of stratus clouds, identified according to their altitude. Those ranging from 6,500 to 18,000 feet are altostratus; those above 18,000 feet are cirrostratus. Both are flat.

Looking for Low-Level Stratus Clouds

5. Identify a low, flat gray cloud covering the entire sky as a stratus cloud formation.

6. Be amazed that fog is merely a stratus cloud touching the ground.

7. Classify low-level, puffy gray clouds as stratocumulus - meaning low-level cumulus that sometimes show the open sky.

8. Find an umbrella when you see the ragged base of nimbostratus clouds. Rain or snow are probably imminent.