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Cumulonimbus (from Latin cumulus 'swell' and nimbus 'cloud') is a dense, towering, vertical cloud, [1] typically forming from water vapor condensing in the lower troposphere that builds upward carried by powerful buoyant air currents.
Cloud chart showing major tropospheric cloud types identified by standard two-letter abbreviations and grouped by altitude and form. See table below for full names and classification. The table that follows is very broad in scope much like the cloud genera template near the bottom of the article and upon which this table is partly based.
Cloud. Cumulonimbus cloud; Arcus cloud; Downburst. Microburst; Heat burst; Derecho; Lightning. Volcanic lightning; Thunderstorm. Air-mass thunderstorm; Thundersnow
Cumulus congestus clouds compared against a cumulonimbus cloud in the background. Due to reflectivity, clouds cool the earth by around 12 °C (22 °F), an effect largely caused by stratocumulus clouds. However, at the same time, they heat the earth by around 7 °C (13 °F) by reflecting emitted radiation, an effect largely caused by cirrus clouds.
A cumulonimbus capillatus is a cumulonimbus cloud with dense cirrus clouds above it, making the cloud top appear to contain hair-like structures. The name comes from the Latin word capillatus, meaning "with hair". [1] It is an intermediate stage between cumulonimbus calvus and cumulonimbus incus.
Also actiniform. Describing a collection of low-lying, radially structured clouds with distinct shapes (resembling leaves or wheels in satellite imagery), and typically organized in extensive mesoscale fields over marine environments. They are closely related to and sometimes considered a variant of stratocumulus clouds. actinometer A scientific instrument used to measure the heating power of ...
A flanking line often has a stairstep appearance where the tallest cells are connected to the main cumulonimbus. [1] The bases of the clouds making the flanking line are merged. The forefront area usually has no precipitation. In the picture, it is possible to detect precipitation in the background just above the horizon below the main cloud.
A tornado is a dangerous rotating column of air in contact with both the surface of the earth and the base of a cumulonimbus cloud (thundercloud), or a cumulus cloud in rare cases. Tornadoes come in many sizes but typically form a visible condensation funnel whose narrowest end reaches the earth and is surrounded by a cloud of debris and dust.