altostratus

[ al-toh-strey-tuhs, -strat-uhs ]

noun

, Meteorology.

, plural al·to·stra·tus.

1. a cloud of a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus and darker than cirrostratus: of medium altitude, about 8000–20,000 feet (2450–6100 meters).

altostratus

/ -ˈstrɑː-; ˌæltəʊˈstreɪtəs /

noun

1. a layer cloud at an intermediate height of about 2400 to 6000 metres (8000 to 20 000 feet)

altostratus

/ ăl′tō-străt′əs /

, Plural altostrati ăl′tō-străt′ī′

1. A mid-altitude cloud that extends in flat, smooth sheets or layers of varying thickness. Altostratus clouds generally form between 2,000 and 6,100 m (6,560 and 20,000 ft) and often produce long, steady rain showers.
2. See illustration at cloud

Word History and Origins

Origin of altostratus¹

First recorded in 1890–95; alto- + stratus

Example Sentences

Whereas crepuscular rays headlined Tuesday’s sunrise, Monday’s sunrise presented more texture and variety as the sun’s rays intercepted a mix of cloud types — stratus, altostratus, stratocumulus and cirrus.

From Washington Post

Today will start, said David Stark of the National Weather Service, with midlevel clouds — altocumulus or altostratus, maybe 10,000 feet above us.

From New York Times