Many types of clouds can appear grey, depending on their thickness and the amount of sunlight they block.
Types of Grey Clouds
- Altostratus clouds: These mid-level clouds are often described as gray or bluish-gray sheets that can partially or totally cover the sky. (Source: Altostratus definition)
- Altocumulus clouds: While often white, altocumulus clouds can also appear as gray patches. (Source: Types of Clouds - Snippet) The grayness depends on their thickness and the amount of light passing through them.
- Thicker clouds of any type will appear grey due to the scattering of light. Less light penetrates denser clouds, leading to a darker, gray appearance. (Source: Why are some clouds grey and some white?)
Other Grey "Clouds"
The term "cloud" is also used metaphorically in other contexts:
- Digital Clouds: In the context of online storage services (like Dropbox), a grey cloud icon might indicate an offline or unavailable file. (Source: Status icons change - shows 'grey cloud icon', while it should be a green...)
- Color Names: Many paint colors and products use "cloud grey" in their names, indicating a specific shade of grey. (Sources: Cloud Grey Glazed, CLOUD GREY | PSB-4372 | Prismatic Powders, Gray Cloud 2126-60 | Benjamin Moore, Cloud Motif Grey Paint Color From PPG - Glidden, THE OUTLET: Spare Cover (Deluxe+) - Cloud Grey – DockATot)
In short, the answer depends on the context. If referring to meteorological clouds, several types can appear grey. If referring to other uses of the word "cloud," the context will determine the specific meaning of "grey cloud."
