Which cloud type tends to produce continuous precipitation and appears thick and dark?

Which cloud type tends to produce continuous precipitation and appears thick and dark?

• A. Cirrus
• B. Stratocumulus
• C. Nimbostratus
• D. Cumulus

Answer: (C)

Continuous precipitation comes from clouds that blanket large areas of the sky rather than build tall, isolated towers. Nimbostratus form a broad, uniform gray layer at low to mid levels, which looks thick and dark and yields steady rain or snow that lasts for hours. This endless, widespread precipitation matches the description perfectly. Cirrus are high and wispy and don’t bring rain; stratocumulus can drizzle but usually aren’t associated with long-lasting rain, and cumulus are puffy and typically indicate fair weather unless they grow into a storm cloud.

Continuous precipitation comes from clouds that blanket large areas of the sky rather than build tall, isolated towers. Nimbostratus form a broad, uniform gray layer at low to mid levels, which looks thick and dark and yields steady rain or snow that lasts for hours. This endless, widespread precipitation matches the description perfectly. Cirrus are high and wispy and don’t bring rain; stratocumulus can drizzle but usually aren’t associated with long-lasting rain, and cumulus are puffy and typically indicate fair weather unless they grow into a storm cloud.