Here's why:
* Nimbostratus clouds are rain clouds. They are thick, dark gray, and cover the entire sky. They produce steady, continuous rain or snow.
* High-level clouds like cirrus, cirrostratus, and cirrocumulus are made of ice crystals and are found above 20,000 feet.
* Mid-level clouds like altostratus and altocumulus are made of water droplets or ice crystals and are found between 6,500 and 20,000 feet.
So, the next time you see a thick, gray cloud that's bringing rain, it's likely a Nimbostratus cloud hanging low in the sky.