Stratocumulus Cloud - Classification

Classification

Stratocumulus clouds are divided into two primary varieties: Stratocumulus undulatus (wavy) and Stratocumulus cumuliformis (cumulus-like).

Stratocumulus undulatus clouds appear as nearly parallel waves, rolls or separate elongated clouds, without significant vertical development. They are usually classified by sky coverage.

Stratocumulus opacus is a dark layer of clouds covering entire sky without any break. However, the cloud sheet is not completely uniform, so that separate cloud bases still can be seen. If the cloud layer becomes grayer to the point when individual clouds can’t be distinguished, stratocumulus turns into altocumulus.

Stratocumulus perlucidus is a layer of stratocumulus clouds with small spaces, appearing in irregular pattern, through which clear sky or higher clouds can be seen.

Stratocumulus translucidus consist of separate groups of stratocumulus clouds, with a clear sky (or higher clouds) visible between them. No precipitation in most cases.

Stratocumulus lenticularis are separate flat elongated seed-shaped clouds. They are typical for polar countries or warmer climate during winter seasons. They also can be formed by winds passing hills or mountains, such as Foehn winds, and in this case they can be very regularly shaped.

Stratocumulus fractus are fragmented strands of stratocumulus often seen between larger stratocumuli in a perculidus sheet They are also seen when a layer of stratocumulus is breaking up.