What is Altostratus?
A middle cloud type within the B family in the international cloud classification. These clouds consist of water droplets and sometimes ice crystals. In mid-latitudes, the cloud base varies between 15,000 and 20,000 feet. They can range in color from white to gray and bluish. Altostratus clouds can be fibrous or layered and may occasionally form a thick layer that obscures the sun and moon. The halo phenomenon is not observed with this cloud type. It is a good indicator of precipitation or a precursor to a storm. Virga-type clouds fall into this category. They are often formed by variations in low altostratus. They can cause light rain and snowfall. Subtypes of altostratus include opacus, precipitans, and translucidus.
Schedule a Demo Today
A new era is starting with fundamentally new forecasting with unprecedented precision!
Contact UsGlossary
A cloud that develops from Cirrus, completely or partially covering the sky, creating a halo effect, thin, sheet-like, milky...
Observation of the sky from the observer's location where there are no clouds, and there is no obstruction to visibility....
Any form of water - liquid or solid - that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet,...
A strong, downward wind caused by a localized column of air sinking rapidly, often resulting in damage similar to that caused...
A narrow band of strong winds in the upper atmosphere, typically flowing from west to east and influencing weather patterns.
Weather intelligence is technology that provides predictive and actionable insights, allowing businesses to adapt to weather-related...
A line of severe thunderstorms that can form along or ahead of a cold front, often producing strong winds and heavy rain.
The term used for turbulence occurring in the absence of clouds or cloud-like elements in the visible area. It is often observed...
The term 'cloudy' refers to weather conditions characterized by a significant amount of cloud cover in the sky. This may...
A cold front is the leading edge of a cold air mass that replaces a warmer air mass. It is typically associated with sudden...