E N C Y C L O P E D I A

Altostratus

Altostratus is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus and darker than cirrostratus.

    
    
    
Photo of Altostratus
Where found: 2,000-5,000 m
Asscociated Weather: Wide areas of rain and snow.

Table of contents
1 Cause
2 Hazards
3 External link

Cause

Altostratus is caused by a large air mass that is lifted then condensed, usually by an incoming frontal system.

Hazards

Altostratus can cause ice accretion on aircraft.

 

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This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

   

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