Clouds of the Day - April 3, 2020

Stratus - looking southwest

Nimbostratus about 30 minutes later - looking southwast

The difference between stratus and nimbostratus is the presence of rain. Since rain was not falling at our location the cloud is classified as stratus. Rain was likely falling in the distance - based on how the cloud looked. However it is classified as stratus until precipitation (rain or snow) is observed. Other than possibly drizzle, true stratus do not produced precipitation. The presence of rain indicates a much thicker cloud and confirms the cloud is nimbostratus. Nimbostratus often form in the mid-levels and lowers as the rain saturates lower layers. Nimbostratus can easily be more than 10,000 feet thick.