Clouds Formation

Low (Family C)
Low clouds are found from near surface up to 6,500 ft (2,000 m). Family C also typically includes one cumuliform and one stratiform-category genus. When low stratiform clouds contact the ground, they are called fog, although radiation and advection types of fog do not form from stratus layers.
Family C includes:
- Genus Stratocumulus (Sc): A cloud layer of limited convection usually in the form of irregular patches or rounded masses similar to altocumulus but having larger elements with deeper gray shading. Opaque stratocumulus associated with a weak frontal or low pressure distrubance can produce very light intermittent precipitation. This cloud often forms under a precipitating deck of altostratus or high based nimbostratus associated with a well-developed warm front, slow moving cold front, or low pressure area. This can create the illusion of continuous precipitation of more than very light intensity falling from stratocumulus.