Physical constitution

(Section 2.3.7.7)

Stratocumulus is composed of water droplets, sometimes accompanied by raindrops or, more rarely, snow pellets, snow crystals and snowflakes. Any ice crystals present are usually too sparse to give the cloud a fibrous appearance. During extremely cold weather, Stratocumulus may produce abundant ice crystal virga that may be accompanied by halo phenomena. When Stratocumulus is not very thick, a corona or irisation is sometimes observed.