Weather officials say different types of clouds can tell you what kind of weather to expect. Here's a look at the different types.

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.

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 ...

Stratus, which is latin for "flat" and "layer", is one of the most common clouds we see in our atmosphere. All stratus clouds have one characteristic in common: being a uniform and flat sheet of ...

When clouds form thick layers, we add the word “stratus,” or “layer,” to the name. Stratus can occur just above the ground, or a bit higher up – we call it altostratus then.

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.

If the conditions are right, these storms could produce severe weather. Comparatively, stratus clouds are known for their flat appearance. When you see stratus clouds, expect light rain.

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 ...