Cloud Atlas
Stratocumulus (Sc)
Low-level lumpy layers — a sheet of cloud ‘clumps’ with darker cells.
How to spot it
- Patchy/layered with rounded masses or rolls
- Often has darker tessellations (‘honeycomb’ look)
- Cloud elements usually large (> ~5°; the ‘three fingers’ test)
What it can mean
- Common ahead of or behind frontal systems
- Usually limited precipitation (sometimes drizzle/virga)
- Can create dramatic light when broken at sunset
Photography tips
- Look for breaks: sunbeams and rays are the magic
- Expose for highlights near breaks
- Try wide shots to capture pattern scale