Copyright 1991 by Bruce McMillan
The word Nimbostratus means "rainstorm" and "spread out" in Latin. Rain and snow often accompany the development of nimbostratus clouds. Nimbostratus clouds color the sky a solid gray. These clouds are low altitude clouds that are not more than 5,000 feet above the Earth. These clouds develop when a front of warm, moist air meets a body of cold, dry air.