Because stratus clouds form at such a low altitude (typically below 2,000 ft, but can form as high as 4,000 ft), the droplets within the clouds remain in liquid form.

The prefix “alto” (meaning “high”) helps distinguish mid-level clouds from their lower-level counterparts (such as altostratus vs stratus). NWS cloud chart. Click to expand to full-size.

Stratus clouds (the flat ones) “Stratus” comes from the Latin word meaning layer or spread over. Stratus clouds form when a large, moist air mass gradually cools as it rises.

Stratus clouds typically form in the lower atmosphere, while cirrus clouds develop at higher altitudes.

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News Weather The science behind clouds and how to remember their (latin) names Mon., June 23, 2025 Storm clouds gather above a train in 2023 as it rolls through the Pleasantview Road crossing near ...

John Wheeler: Colder weather will bring flatter clouds Soon enough, stratus clouds will deliver snow.

Stratus type clouds can form at any level, but the plain stratus usually have a base of between 0 feet (fog) and 6,500 feet high.

Because stratus clouds form at such a low altitude (typically below 2,000 ft, but can form as high as 4,000 ft), the droplets within the clouds remain in liquid form.

Weather Words: Stratus CloudsThese clouds are formed under stable conditions and can sometimes stay in the same location for days at a time. They form when warm, moist air cools down and reaches ...