Plain English Meaning

A wide, gray, rain-producing cloud layer that brings steady (not stormy) precipitation and blocks out the sun for hours at a time.

Full Definition

A thick, dark, low-to-middle level cloud layer that produces continuous, steady precipitation in the form of rain, snow, or ice pellets. Nimbostratus clouds form a featureless gray sheet that blocks the sun, often extending across a wide horizontal area and through several thousand feet of vertical depth. They are associated with stable air and warm fronts.

Context Anchor

Seen in cloud identification, weather reports, and preflight weather planning when a pilot is checking for widespread rain, snow, low , or reduced .