altostratus

[ al-toh-strey-tuh s, -strat-uh s ]
/ ˌæl toʊˈstreɪ təs, -ˈstræt əs /

noun, plural al·to·stra·tus. Meteorology.

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).

Origin of altostratus

First recorded in 1890–95; alto- + stratus

Words nearby altostratus

Example sentences from the Web for alto-stratus

British Dictionary definitions for alto-stratus

altostratus
/ (ˌæltəʊˈstreɪtəs, -ˈstrɑː-) /

noun plural -ti (-taɪ)

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

Scientific definitions for alto-stratus

altostratus
[ ăl′tō-strătəs ]

Plural altostrati (ăl′tō-strătī′)

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. See illustration at cloud.