Altostratus cloud

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Altostratus cloud
Altostratus cloud
Abbreviation As
Symbol
Genus Alto- (high)
-stratus (layered)
Altitude 2,000-5,000 m
(8,000-20,000 ft)
Classification Family B (Medium-level)
Appearance sheet or layer
Precipitation Cloud? Wide areas of rain and snow

Altostratus is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus and darker than cirrostratus. Compare also with lower altitude stratus clouds.

Altostratus is caused by a large air mass that is lifted then condensed, usually by an incoming frontal system and can be found over wide-spread areas. Altostratus clouds are potentially dangerous, because they can cause ice accretion on aircraft.

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Clouds    
High Clouds (Family A): Cirrus (Ci) • Cirrus uncinus • Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz colombia • Cirrostratus (Cs) • Cirrocumulus (Cc) • Pileus • Contrail
Middle Clouds (Family B): Altostratus (As) • Altostratus undulatus • Altocumulus (Ac) • Altocumulus undulatus • Altocumulus mackerel sky • Altocumulus castellanus cloud • Altocumulus lenticularis
Low Clouds (Family C): Stratus (St) • Nimbostratus (Ns) • Cumulus humilis (Cu) • Cumulus mediocris (Cu) • Stratocumulus (Sc)
Vertical Clouds (Family D): Cumulonimbus (Cb) • Cumulonimbus incus • Cumulonimbus calvus • Cumulonimbus with mammatus • Cumulus congestus • Pyrocumulus  • Pyrocumulonimbus