cloud species in which the cloud elements are irregular but generally small in size, and that presents a ragged, shredded appearance, as if torn. All of these characteristics change ceaselessly and often rapidly. Stratus fractus is distinguishable from cumulus fractus by its smaller vertical extent, darker color, and by the greater dispersion of its particles. Cumulus fractus actually looks like a ragged cumulus cloud. The species fractus occurs only in the genera mentioned above. See cloud classification, scud.

The elements of cumulus and stratus clouds that appear in irregular fragments, as if they had been shred or torn. Never appears in cirrus clouds. Also known as scud. Related terms: cumulus fractus and stratus fractus