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Nimbostratus Clouds
low dark clouds with precipitation
Nimbostratus are low level clouds, typically dark gray in color
and associated with light to moderately falling precipitation.
Low clouds are almost always comprised of water droplets since their bases
generally lie below 6500 feet
(2000 meters). However, when temperatures are
cold enough, these clouds may contain
ice particles and snow.
[Image: nimbostratus clouds (80K)]
Because of the falling precipitation, the sun
or moon is not visible through nimbostratus, unlike with
cirrostratus clouds,
where the sun or moon can be seen.
Cloud bases are often
difficult to accurately determine,
since a layer of fog commonly forms beneath and around
the bases of these clouds.
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