| Low level (Stratus or
Cumulus) are mostly composed of water
droplets or if the atmosphere is cold
enough ice or snow. Low clouds have a
base of 6,500 feet above ground level or
below. Here are a several
examples of low level clouds...
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Cumulonimbus |
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Cumulus |
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Courtesy
of: Nitsa |
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Stratus/Stratocumulus |
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Cumulonimbus |
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Courtesy
of: Nitsa |
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Cumulus |
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Cumulus |
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Courtesy
of: Nitsa |
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Cumulus |
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Cumulonimbus |
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Courtesy
of: Nitsa |
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"Low
level clouds glossary"
Stratus... Very flat low
level clouds.
Stratocumulus... Low, lumpy
layer clouds. They sometimes
accompanied by very light
precipitation such as drizzle. These
clouds vary from dark gray to light
gray and sometimes appear as round
masses, rolls...with breaks of clear
sky in between.
Nimbostratus... Dark, low
level clouds generally accompanied by
light to occasionally moderate
precipitation.
There are also towering
types of low level clouds...
Cumulus... A cloud in a
shape of individual detached domes,
with flat base to them. Often these
clouds resemble a Cauliflower.
Cumulonimbus... A vertical
developed cumulus cloud. Often
referred to a
"thunderhead". These clouds
are often accompanied by showers,
thunder and lightning.
Sometimes...hail and strong/gusty
winds. These clouds are most often
capped with an anvil shaped top.
In southern
California...the most common type of low
level clouds are stratus or more often
referred to as the "marine
layer".
More Cloud
Pictures!
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