Un nimbostratus o nimboestrato es una nube oscura caracterizada por capas uniformes, generalmente de color gris oscuro. Este tipo de nube no siempre se presenta a la misma altura, de ahí que no se pueda considerar estrictamente como nube de tipo bajo o medio, si bien su base suele estar en torno a los 2000 metros. Los nimbostratos bloquean completamente la luz solar. En comparación con los estratos, altoestratos y cirroestratos; los nimboestratos siempre precipitan y estas precipitaciones suelen ser continuas y no muy intensas a diferencia de las de nubes de tipo convectivo. Otras nubes de génesis de precipitación son los cumulonimbos.

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Nimbostratus is a former Family C low-level genus that is now classified as multi-level because it forms in the middle level or étage of the troposphere and usually spreads into the low and high étages. It has considerable vertical and horizontal extent and produces precipitation over a wide area. "Nimbo" is from the Latin word "nimbus", which denotes precipitation. It has a diffuse cloud base generally found anywhere from near surface in the low levels and about 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in the middle étage. Although usually dark at its base, it often appears illuminated from within to a surface observer. Nimbostratus usually has a thickness of about 2000 m. Though found worldwide, nimbostratus occurs more commonly in the middle latitudes. It is coded CM2 on the SYNOP report. \n* Species and varieties: Nimbostratus is very thick, opaque, and featureless, so this genus type is not subdivided into species or varieties. \n* Precipitation-based supplementary features: Nimbostratus is a major precipitation cloud and produces the virga or praecipitatio features. The latter can achieve heavy intensity due to the cloud's vertical depth. \n* Accessory cloud: Pannus frequently forms in precipitation and is coded CL7. \n* Genitus mother clouds: This genus type can form from cumulus and cumulonimbus. \n* Mutatus mother clouds: Nimbostratus can form due to the complete transformation of altocumulus, altostratus and stratocumulus.

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