Stratus nebulosus (St neb) | Cloud Atlas - MeteoAcademy.com - Online Course for Meteorology and Weather

Description

The name "nebulosus" (Latin: foggy, veiled) describes the uniformly dull, featureless appearance of this cloud. Stratus nebulosus forms a continuous, structureless, and often grey cloud layer that can completely cover the sky. In low-lying areas it closely resembles fog and frequently develops through the lifting of fog layers or through large-scale cooling of moist air masses. The cloud shows no discernible details, waves, or structures whatsoever, and appears as a uniform, diffuse veil. When the cloud base is very low, Stratus nebulosus can significantly obscure the landscape and greatly reduce visibility.

Identification Features

Uniform, structureless, and featureless cloud layer with no discernible details

Grey to grey-white, diffuse veil across the sky

Frequently covers the sky completely without any gaps

No waves, billows, or other structural elements visible

Very low base, often only a few hundred metres above the ground

Can be difficult to distinguish from high fog or lifted fog

The sun appears at most as a faintly luminous disc

Can produce light drizzle or fine rain

Occurrence by genus

Highlighted: all genera with which nebulosus occurs.

Cloud species and the genera with which they most commonly occur

Genus →Species ↓	Ci	Cc	Cs	Ac	As	Ns	Sc	St	Cu	Cb
fibratus (fib)
uncinus (unc)
spissatus (spi)
castellanus (cas)
floccus (flo)
stratiformis (str)
nebulosus (neb)
lenticularis (len)
volutus (vol)
fractus (fra)
humilis (hum)
mediocris (med)
congestus (con)
calvus (cal)
capillatus (cap)

Source: WMO International Cloud Atlas (2017)

Meteorological Significance

Stratus nebulosus indicates stable atmospheric layering and high humidity in near-surface layers. It frequently develops in high-pressure situations during the winter half of the year, during the advection of warm air over a cold surface, or through the lifting of fog patches. Light drizzle or fine rain can fall from this cloud layer, though more substantial precipitation is not to be expected. Its occurrence points to a persistently dull and humid weather situation that can often persist for hours or even days. Dissipation typically occurs through warming, stronger winds, or a change in the large-scale weather pattern.

Genera:	Altocumulus Ac Altostratus As Cirrocumulus Cc Cirrostratus Cs Cirrus Ci Cumulonimbus Cb Cumulus Cu Nimbostratus Ns Stratocumulus Sc Stratus St
Species:	fractus St franebulosus St neb

Stratus nebulosus

Description

Identification Features

Occurrence by genus

Meteorological Significance

Facts