What are the characteristics of nimbus clouds?

Asked by: Matt Hansen

Nimbostratus clouds are dark, grey, featureless layers of cloud, thick enough to block out the Sun and produce persistent rain.

• Height of base: 2,000 – 10,000 ft.
• Shape: Bands or areas of individual cells.
• Latin: nimbus – rainy cloud; stratus – flattened or spread out.
• Precipitation: Continuous rain or snow likely.

What are the characteristics of clouds?

Clouds are typically sorted and identified by characteristics such as their height in the sky, texture, and the type of “weather” they do or do not produce.

What is a characteristic of a nimbus cloud 1 word s?

Clouds that produce rain and snow fall into this category. (“Nimbus” comes from the Latin word for “rain.”) Two examples are the nimbostratus or cumulonimbus clouds. Nimbostratus clouds bring continuous precipitation that can last for many hours. These low-level clouds are full of moisture.

What are nimbus clouds made of?

Nimbostratus clouds might consist entirely of cloud droplets or raindrops, or of ice crystals and snowflakes. However, the composition of nimbus clouds varies greatly depending on temperature and often they may be mixed with supercooled water droplets and ice crystals present at the same layer.

What are the characteristics of stratus clouds?

Stratus clouds are uniform and flat, producing a gray layer of cloud cover which may be precipitation-free or may cause periods of light precipitation or drizzle.

What type of weather is associated with nimbus clouds?

What weather is associated with nimbostratus clouds? These mid-level clouds are often accompanied by continuous moderate rain or snow and appear to cover most of the sky. Nimbostratus will often bring precipitation which may last for several hours until the associated front passes over.

What are the 3 basic types of clouds and their characteristics?

From his Essay of the Modifications of Clouds (1803) Luke Howard divided clouds into three categories; cirrus, cumulus and stratus.

• Cirro-form. The Latin word ‘cirro’ means curl of hair. …
• Cumulo-form. Generally detached clouds, they look like white fluffy cotton balls. …
• Strato-form. …
• Nimbo-form.

Whats a nimbus cloud?

Definition of nimbus
1a : a luminous vapor, cloud, or atmosphere about a god or goddess when on earth. b : a cloud or atmosphere (as of romance) about a person or thing. 2 : an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereign. 3a : a rain

Why are nimbus clouds dark?

Nimbus clouds get their intimidating look from the scattering of sunlight at their upper reaches and margins, and the absorption of sunlight by large water droplets, Again, those larger droplets absorb more sunlight, so a darkening cloud may indicate one in which water droplets are getting heavy enough to begin falling

What color are nimbus clouds?

Spread across the sky in an even manner, nimbus clouds are the bearers of rain. These clouds are formed in large numbers and are seen drifting in the lower strata. These clouds are large, grayish black in color and precipitous clouds.

What are the characteristics of cumulus clouds?

Cumulus clouds are detached, individual, cauliflower-shaped clouds usually spotted in fair weather conditions. The tops of these clouds are mostly brilliant white tufts when lit by the Sun, although their base is usually relatively dark.

What are 5 facts about stratus clouds?

Here are some interesting facts about stratus clouds:

• Stratus clouds have flat layers and uniform bases, with no visible clumps or lumps.
• They produce light precipitation in terms of drizzle and snow.
• They accompany foggy weather conditions.
• Stratus clouds can last for about 6 to 12 hours in the atmosphere.

Which type of clouds brings lightning thunder and tornadoes?

Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with extreme weather such as heavy torrential downpours, hail storms, lightning and even tornadoes. Individual cumulonimbus cells will usually dissipate within an hour once showers start falling, making for short-lived, heavy rain.

What are black clouds called?

Nimbostratus clouds are dark, gray clouds that seem to fade into falling rain or snow. They are so thick that they often blot out the sunlight.

What is the biggest cloud in the world?

Noctilucent clouds are composed of tiny crystals of water ice up to 100 nm in diameter and exist at a height of about 76 to 85 km (249,000 to 279,000 ft), higher than any other clouds in Earth’s atmosphere.