What is nimbusclouds?

Nimbostratus clouds are dark, grey, featureless layers of cloud, thick enough to block out the Sun. Producing persistent rain, these clouds are often associated with frontal systems provided by mid-latitude cyclones.

1. What's the difference between cumulus and nimbus clouds?
2. How is nimbus clouds formed?
3. Are nimbus clouds just rain clouds?
4. Are nimbus clouds high or low?
5. What weather do nimbus clouds bring?
6. Where are nimbus clouds found?
7. What is the shape of nimbus clouds?
8. Why do nimbus clouds bring continuous rain?
9. Which clouds bring heavy rain?
10. What are dark rain clouds called?
11. Why are nimbus clouds dark?
12. What's the lowest A cloud can go?
13. What does the name nimbus mean?
14. Do cumulonimbus clouds produce snow?

What's the difference between cumulus and nimbus clouds?

The stereotypical puffy cloud you probably drew a lot of when you were a kid, cumulus clouds are dense individual clouds that are bright white on top and gray underneath. They typically appear earlier in the day when it's sunny. Nimbostratus clouds form a thick, dark layer across the sky.

How is nimbus clouds formed?

Nimbostratus clouds are formed when warm, moist air is gradually lifted over a large area, typically produced by a warm front. ... With warm fronts, the cloud layer is much more stable, resulting in the formation of nimbostratus clouds.

Are nimbus clouds just rain clouds?

The prefix "nimbo-" or the suffix "-nimbus" are low-level clouds that have their bases below 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above the Earth. 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.

Are nimbus clouds high or low?

Nimbostratus are dark, low-level clouds accompanied by light to moderately falling precipitation. 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.

What weather do nimbus clouds bring?

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.

Where are nimbus clouds found?

Nimbostratus has a diffuse cloud base generally found anywhere from near surface in the low levels to about 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in the middle level of the troposphere. Although usually dark at its base, it often appears illuminated from within to a surface observer.

What is the shape of nimbus clouds?

Nimbus (NB) clouds are dense clouds with a strong vertical development, with towering forms. The lower part of these clouds is dark and jagged, the upper part is generally swollen and continuously evolving.

Why do nimbus clouds bring continuous rain?

Nimbus is an ancient Latin word meaning “rain storm.” Rain or nimbus clouds tend to appear dark gray because their depth and/or density of large water droplets obscures sunlight. Depending on temperature, nimbus clouds may precipitate hail or snow instead of liquid rain.

Which clouds bring heavy rain?

If enough atmospheric instability, moisture, and lift are present, then strong updrafts can develop in the cumulus cloud leading to a mature, deep cumulonimbus cloud, i.e., a thunderstorm producing heavy rain.

What are dark rain clouds called?

The Latin word nimbus means “dark cloud” or “rain storm,” and meteorologists use it to classify two of the major types of rain-bearing clouds: nimbostratus, layered rain clouds that don't produce lightning, and cumulonimbus, deep cumulus clouds generating lightning, thunder and heavy downpours.

Why are nimbus clouds dark?

It's pretty well-known that most clouds are white, while rain clouds are usually a darker shade of gray. ... That is, a cloud gets thicker and denser as it gathers more water droplets and ice crystals — the thicker it gets, the more light it scatters, resulting in less light penetrating all the way through it.

What's the lowest A cloud can go?

Low clouds span up to 6,000 feet in altitude. Middle or mid-level clouds usually are around 10,000 feet in altitude and are associated with the 'alto-' prefix. High clouds are often 20,000 feet or higher and have a 'cirro-' prefix.

What does the name nimbus mean?

The name Nimbus is a boy's name meaning "dark cloud". Nimbus is a word from nature for a type of cloud that has occasionally -- very occasionally -- been used for a human. But it's evocative and upbeat and certainly makes an intriguing and stylish nature name.

Do cumulonimbus clouds produce snow?

Cumulonimbus clouds can also bring dangerous winter storms (called "blizzards") which bring lightning, thunder, and torrential snow. However, cumulonimbus clouds are most common in tropical regions.