Fractus cloud
A low, irregular cloud of ragged fragments, often forming beneath or near larger clouds such as cumulonimbus.
Cumulonimbus: A towering thunderstorm cloud capable of producing heavy rain, lightning, hail, and strong winds. Fractus often develops beneath cumulonimbus in turbulent, moisture-rich air.
Cloud: A visible mass of water droplets, ice crystals, or both suspended in the atmosphere. Fractus is a form of cloud defined by its ragged, fragmentary appearance.
Scud cloud: A colloquial name for low, ragged cloud fragments, especially beneath storm clouds. Scud is a common informal name for fractus beneath thunderstorms.
Altocumulus: A middle-level cloud genus made of rounded patches or layers. Altocumulus forms higher and in more organized patches than low fractus.
Wind shear: A change in wind speed or direction over a short distance or period of time. Shearing winds can distort cloud edges into ragged fragments.
Cumulus cloud: A cloud with distinct, rounded heaps and a generally flat base. Fractus can form beneath cumulus clouds as detached scraps.
Shelf cloud: A low, wedge-shaped cloud attached to the leading edge of a thunderstorm. Unlike detached fractus, a shelf cloud is an organized storm outflow feature.
Stratocumulus: A low cloud genus consisting of broad layers or rolls with rounded elements. Stratocumulus is a coherent cloud genus, unlike detached fractus fragments.
Evaporation: The change of a liquid into vapor at its surface. Evaporation can break apart cloud edges where surrounding air is drier.
Stratus cloud: A low, uniform layer of cloud that often covers much of the sky. Stratus fractus names ragged fragments associated with low stratus layers.