nimbostratus

American  

[nim-boh-strey-tuhs, -strat-uhs] / ˌnɪm boʊˈstreɪ təs, -ˈstræt əs /

noun

PLURAL

nimbostratus

1. a cloud of a class characterized by a formless layer that is almost uniformly dark gray; a rain cloud of the layer type, of low altitude, usually below 8,000 feet (2,440 meters).

---

nimbostratus British  

/ -ˈstrɑːtəs, ˌnɪmbəʊˈstreɪtəs /

noun

1. a dark-coloured rain-bearing stratus cloud

---

nimbostratus Scientific  

/ nĭm′bō-străt′əs /

PLURAL

nimbostrati

1. A dark, gray, mid-altitude cloud that often covers the entire sky and precipitates rain, snow, or sleet. Nimbostratus clouds generally form around 2,000 m (6,560 ft) but often extend to much higher and lower altitudes.

2. See illustration at cloud

---

Etymology

Origin of nimbostratus

First recorded in 1885–90; nimbo- + stratus

Example Sentences

When people claim that clouds are depressing, the app says, they’re usually talking about the Nimbostratus, which can arrive without warning to bring rain: “This is the cloud that gives all the others a bad name.”

From Reuters

While much of environmental news is grim these days, there’s a snowy silver lining to the nimbostratus clouds overhead: parched areas of the US that most need precipitation are getting it.

From The Guardian

"Nimbostratus are a thick, dark grey layer that produces continuous rain or snow."

From BBC

It even has a scoring system, in which cloudspotters receive 10 points for ordinary clouds like nimbostratus, the more or less featureless rain clouds people typically have in mind when they say clouds are depressing; 40 points for a cumulonimbus storm cloud, the anvil-shaped "king of clouds"; and more points for more exotic formations.

From Seattle Times

It even has a scoring system, in which cloudspotters receive 10 points for ordinary clouds like nimbostratus, the more or less featureless rain clouds people typically have in mind when they say clouds are depressing; 40 points for a cumulonimbus storm cloud, the anvil-shaped “king of clouds”; and more points for more exotic formations.

From New York Times