© Yves Courtel

Les Arcs, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France

Latitude: 45° 34' 16'' N

Longitude: 6° 48' 53'' E

29 January 2011 1142 (Local Time)
Camera direction: towards NE

Image P/S code: S.8.22

Image I.D.: 5483

C_L = 6, C_M = 0, C_H = 0

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  Stratus – sea of clouds

  This image shows a sea of clouds (mer de nuages) seen from the ski slopes of Les Arcs near Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France. It extends for at least 20 km and ends in the foreground, spilling over a sharp vertical edge. The cloud formed under radiation conditions in local valleys, where it became trapped under stable conditions. A sea of clouds can be associated with Stratocumulus or Stratus cloud. Here the cloud's upper surface appears relatively smooth, as is more common with Stratus and lighter winds. The upper surface of Stratocumulus tends to show more undulations, like waves on a rough sea, as the wind is generally stronger. A small amount of Cumulus humilis can be seen over the distant mountain.

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Yves Courtel
  Les Arcs, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France
  Latitude: 45° 34' 16'' N
  Longitude: 6° 48' 53'' E
  29 January 2011 1142 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards NE
  C_L = 6, C_M = 0, C_H = 0
  Image P/S code: S.8.22
  Image I.D.: 5483
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  On the satellite image, the patches of light grey on the French-Italian border, just south of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, are areas of Stratus and fog trapped in the valleys.

  © Meteo60 based on Sat24
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  Stratus nebulosus opacus

  In general, Stratus is a grey layer of cloud with a fairly uniform base, which may give drizzle, snow or snow grains. When the Sun (or Moon) is visible through Stratus, its outline is clearly discernible. In this image, the cloud is uniformly grey with no discernible form, which identifies it as the species nebulosus. It is also sufficiently dense and opaque that the Sun is not visible, defining the variety as opacus.

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Michael Bruhn
  Innere Stadt, Vienna, Austria
  Latitude: 48° 12' 23'' N
  Longitude: 16° 21' 50'' E
  13 October 2014 1227 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards NW
  C_L = 6, C_M = /, C_H = /
  Image P/S code: P.8.3
  Image I.D.: 5875