Nimbostratus clouds are very similar to Stratus clouds but they’re also very different. Nimbostratus means “spread out” and “rainstorm” in Latin. There altitude is no higher than 5,000 feet. Like stratus clouds these clouds form just before it is going to be warm but then it gets colder. These clouds also form from water droplets. In dry air, they will probably make abig down poor which is why in Latin, there name means “rainstorm”. When you see these, there is a chance there will not be thunder or lightining, just rain. Some rain my be very heavy and some may not.

 

 

Sources:

Information- “Nimbostratus Clouds.” http://oncampus.richmond.edu/  2008 1-1. Richmond Campus. October 6, 2008. http://oncampus.richmond.edu/ .

Picture- Nimbostratus Cloud [Online Image] Oct 6 2008.