1.
stratus cloud
One of the ten standard cloud genera: a flat, featureless, low-altitude cloud sheet that covers large areas of sky, often producing drizzle or mist. Distinguished from cumulus by its uniform layered appearance.
山に層雲がかかっている。
Stratus clouds are hanging over the mountain.
朝、低い層雲が町を覆っていた。
In the morning, low stratus clouds covered the town.
層雲は霧雨を降らせることがある。
Stratus clouds can produce drizzle.
層雲は最も低い高度にできる雲で、地表に接すると霧と呼ばれる。
Stratus is the lowest-altitude cloud type, and when it touches the ground it is called fog.
Composed of 層 (layer) and 雲 (cloud). One of the ten standard cloud classifications (十種雲形) used in meteorology.
USAGE:
- A meteorological term used in weather reports, textbooks, and sometimes in everyday descriptions of overcast conditions.
- Used as a plain noun; does not take する.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 低い層雲: low stratus
- 層雲がかかる: stratus hangs (over an area)
- 層雲が広がる: stratus clouds spread out
RELATED TERMS:
- 積雲: cumulus — puffy, vertically developed clouds
- 高層雲: altostratus — stratus clouds at middle altitude
- 乱層雲: nimbostratus — thick stratus producing steady rain
- 霧: fog — ground-level stratus