Low layered gray clouds that usually bring steady rain are known as?

• A. Stratus clouds
• B. Cumulus clouds
• C. Cirrus clouds
• D. Cumulonimbus clouds

Answer: (A)

Stratus clouds are low, horizontal layers that blanket the sky in a gray sheet. They form in stable air near the surface and bring steady, light to moderate rain or drizzle rather than heavy bursts. That uniform, overcast deck is the giveaway. In contrast, cumulus clouds are the puffier, vertically developing ones associated with fair weather or showers; cirrus are high, thin, wispy clouds; cumulonimbus are tall thunderclouds bringing heavy rain and storms. So the steady rain from a low, gray, sheet-like canopy is characteristic of stratus clouds.