Stratiform

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-002661",
  "term": "Stratiform",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definitions": [
    "Describing clouds that are widespread, flat, and sheet-like in appearance, covering a broad area of the sky. These clouds form when stable air is lifted slowly over a large region, leading to condensation across an extensive horizontal layer. Precipitation from stratiform clouds, such as nimbostratus, tends to be light to moderate and prolonged.",
    "Having extensive horizontal development, as opposed to the more vertical development characteristic of convection. Stratiform clouds cover large areas but show relatively little vertical development. Stratiform precipitation, in general, is relatively continuous and uniform in intensity (i.e., steady rain versus rain showers)."
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "stratus",
    "altostratus",
    "cirrostratus",
    "nimbostratus",
    "stratocumulus"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/stratiform/"
}