Editing Stratus cloud (section)

== Relation to other clouds ==

=== Cirrostratus clouds ===
[[File:Close Cirrostratus.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Milky-white cirrostratus clouds cause the sky to appear lighter and have a milky tint.|A cirrostratus cloud]]
{{main|Cirrostratus cloud}}
Cirrostratus clouds, a very high ice-crystal form of stratiform clouds, can appear as a milky sheen in the sky<ref name="common-clouds">{{cite web|title=Common Cloud Names, Shapes, and Altitudes|publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology|url=http://nenes.eas.gatech.edu/Cloud/Clouds.pdf|access-date=12 February 2011|pages=2, 10–13}}</ref> or as a striated sheet.{{sfn|Hubbard|2000|p=340}} They are sometimes similar to altostratus and are distinguishable from the latter because the Sun or Moon is always clearly visible through transparent cirrostratus, in contrast to altostratus which tends to be opaque or translucent.{{sfn|Day|2005|p=56}} Cirrostratus come in two species, ''fibratus'' and ''nebulosus''.<ref name="common-clouds"/> The ice crystals in these clouds vary depending upon the height in the cloud. Towards the bottom, at temperatures of around {{convert|-35|C|F}} to {{convert|-45|C|F}}, the crystals tend to be long, solid, hexagonal columns. Towards the top of the cloud, at temperatures of around {{convert|-47|C|F}} to {{convert|-52|C|F}}, the predominant crystal types are thick, hexagonal plates and short, solid, hexagonal columns.{{sfn|Parungo|1995|p=254}}{{sfn|Parungo|1995|p=256}} These clouds commonly produce halos, and sometimes the halo is the only indication that such clouds are present.{{sfn|Ahrens|2006|p=120}} They are formed by warm, moist air being lifted slowly to a very high altitude.{{sfn|Hamilton|2007|p=24}} When a warm front approaches, cirrostratus clouds become thicker and descend forming altostratus clouds,<ref name="cloud-class"/> and rain usually begins 12 to 24 hours later.{{sfn|Ahrens|2006|p=120}}

=== Altostratus clouds ===
{{main|Altostratus cloud}}

=== Nimbostratus clouds ===
{{main|Nimbostratus cloud}}

=== Stratocumulus clouds ===
{{main|Stratocumulus cloud}}
[[File:Stratocumulus 1.jpg|thumb|Stratocumulus cloud]]
A stratocumulus cloud is another type of a cumuliform or stratiform cloud. Like stratus clouds, they form at low levels;<ref name="cloud-class"/> but like cumulus clouds (and unlike stratus clouds), they form via convection. Unlike cumulus clouds, their growth is almost completely retarded by a strong [[Inversion (meteorology)|inversion]], causing them to flatten out like stratus clouds and giving them a layered appearance. These clouds are extremely common, covering on average around twenty-three percent of the Earth's oceans and twelve percent of the Earth's continents. They are less common in tropical areas and commonly form after [[cold front]]s. Additionally, stratocumulus clouds reflect a large amount of the incoming sunlight, producing a net cooling effect.{{sfn|Wood|2012|p=2374}} Stratocumulus clouds can produce [[drizzle]], which stabilizes the cloud by warming it and reducing turbulent mixing.{{sfn|Wood|2012|p=2398}}