高こう層そう雲うん

こ

う

そ

う

ん

Meanings

1

noun

altostratus clouds

A mid-level cloud type, often forming a uniform grayish or bluish sheet. Used in weather forecasts and scientific contexts.

tall, high, expensive

層stratum, social class, layer

雲cloud

巻けん層そう雲うん
Cirrostratus clouds are higher and thinner, often producing halos, while altostratus clouds are mid-level and thicker.
乱らん層そう雲うん
Nimbostratus clouds are thicker, darker, and produce continuous rain or snow, whereas altostratus clouds are thinner and may not bring precipitation.

Compound of 高層 (kōsō, 'high altitude') and 雲 (un, 'cloud'), directly corresponding to the international cloud classification 'altostratus'.