Stratocumulus cloud

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Stratocumulus clouds
Aerial photograph of Stratocumulus perlucidus clouds over the midwestern United States
Abbreviation	Sc
Symbol
Genus	Stratocumulus (layer heap)
Species	Castellanus Floccus Lenticularis Stratiformis Volutus
Variety	Duplicatus Lacunosus Opacus Perlucidus Radiatus Translucidus Undulatus
Altitude	500-2,000 m (2,000-7,000 ft)
Classification	Family C (Low-level)
Appearance	Thicker, dark gray, and somewhat conjoined heaps of clouds.
Precipitation	Uncommon Rain, Snow or Snow pellets

A stratocumulus cloud, occasionally called a cumulostratus, belongs to a genus-type of clouds characterized by large dark, rounded masses, usually in groups, lines, or waves, the individual elements being larger than those in altocumulus, and the whole being at a lower height, usually below 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).^[1][2] Weak convective currents create shallow cloud layers (see also: sea of clouds) because of drier, stable air above preventing continued vertical development. Historically, in English, this type of cloud has been referred to as a twain cloud for being a combination of two types of clouds.