Editing Stratus cloud (section)

{{Short description|Type of cloud}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox cloud
| name =Stratus cloud
| image location = Stratus clouds Vodno 4.jpg
| image name = Typical stratus clouds over [[Skopje]]. The mountains are higher than the cloud ceiling.
| abbreviation = St
| symbol = Clouds CL 6.svg
| genus= Stratus (''layered'')
| species = * Fractus
* Nebulosus
| variety= * Opacus
* Translucidus
* Undulatus
| altitude_m = 0–2,000
| altitude_ft = 0–7,000
| level = low
| appearance = Gray, featureless low-altitude cloud capable of ground contact.
| precipitation = Common [[Drizzle]], [[freezing drizzle]], [[Snow]] or [[snow grains]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/tabular-guide-genus.html|title=Tabular guide: Genus}}</ref>
| thickness      = 
| Ice content    = 
}}

'''Stratus clouds''' are low-level [[clouds]] characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base, as opposed to convective or [[cumulus cloud|cumuliform]] clouds formed by rising [[thermal]]s. The term ''stratus'' describes flat, [[haze|hazy]], featureless clouds at low [[altitude]]s varying in color from dark gray to nearly white.{{sfn|WMO|1975|p=17|loc=Definition of Clouds}} The word ''stratus'' comes from the [[Latin]] prefix ''Strato-'', meaning "layer" or "sheet".<ref name="cloud-class">{{cite web|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=cloud_classification|title=Cloud Classification|access-date=2 January 2014|publisher=National Weather Service}}</ref> Stratus clouds may produce a light [[drizzle]] or a small amount of [[snow]]. These clouds are essentially above-ground [[fog]] formed either through the lifting of morning fog or through cold air moving at low altitudes. Some call these clouds "high fog" for their fog-like form.