![]() ![]() If the cloud reaches the top of the troposphere and still wishes to grow, it must do so outwards, creating the picturesque anvil or 'incus'. ![]() 1 It signifies a thunderstorm in its mature stage, succeeding the cumulonimbus calvus stage. Cumulonimbus incus - the top of the cloud is fibrous and anvil-shaped, as the cloud has continued to grow. A cumulonimbus incus from Latin incus 'anvil', also called an anvil cloud, is a cumulonimbus cloud that has reached the level of stratospheric stability and has formed the characteristic flat, anvil -shaped top.Water droplets have started to freeze, usually indicating rain has begun or will begin soon. Cumulonimbus capillatus - the top of the cloud is fibrous but relatively contained.The water droplets at the top of the cloud tower have not frozen to become ice crystals. Cumulonimbus calvus - the top of the cumulonimbus is puffy, like a cumulus cloud.How do we categorise cumulonimbus clouds?Ĭumulonimbus clouds have 3 distinct 'species' which describe the appearance of the head of the cloud: The effect of tropical clouds on the energy balance depends on the distribution of anvil cloud optical depth. If there is thunder, lightning or hail, the cloud is a cumulonimbus, rather than nimbostratus. Anvil cloud properties determine the radiation balance in the convective tropics. However, multicell or supercell storms contain many cumulonimbus clouds and the intense rainfall may last much longer. Individual cumulonimbus cells will usually dissipate within an hour once showers start falling, making for short-lived, heavy rain. What weather is associated with cumulonimbus clouds?Ĭumulonimbus clouds are associated with extreme weather such as heavy torrential downpours, hail storms, lightning and even tornadoes. They can also form along cold fronts as a result of forced convection, where milder air is forced to rise over the incoming cold air. The evolution of tropical anvil clouds from their origin in deep convective cores to their slow decay determines the climatic effects of clouds in tropical. They get taller and taller until they represent huge powerhouses, storing the same amount of energy as 10 Hiroshima-sized atom bombs. How do cumulonimbus clouds form?Ĭumulonimbus clouds are born through convection, often growing from small cumulus clouds over a hot surface. The base of the cloud is often flat, with a very dark wall-like feature hanging underneath, and may only lie a few hundred feet above the Earth's surface. More commonly known as thunderclouds, cumulonimbus is the only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lightning. In late spring and summer, these clouds usually form in the afternoon. Precipitation: heavy rain and thunderstormsĬumulonimbus clouds are menacing looking multi-level clouds, extending high into the sky in towers or plumes. A massive anvil cloud catches sunset light over the James Crain Prairie near Boulder.Latin: cumulus - heap nimbus - rain cloud.
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