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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.
Cumulonimbus calvus is a moderately tall cumulonimbus cloud that is capable of precipitation but has not yet reached the tropopause, [1] which is the height of stratospheric stability at which cumulonimbus forms into cumulonimbus capillatus (fibrous-top) or cumulonimbus incus (anvil-top).
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.
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. [1] It signifies a thunderstorm in its mature stage, succeeding the cumulonimbus calvus stage. [2]
A low precipitation supercell in rual Northeast Colorado.. A supercell is a thunderstorm characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone, a deep, persistently rotating updraft. [1]
Structure of a flanking line. In the forefront, there are different cumulus species evolving from the cumulus mediocris to the cumulus congestus; behind, there are cumulonimbus calvus; finally, the huge cumulonimbus capillatus incus dominates the background showing a strong thunderstorm.
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Cumulus clouds are often precursors of other types of clouds, such as cumulonimbus, when influenced by weather factors such as instability, humidity, and temperature gradient. Normally, cumulus clouds produce little or no precipitation, but they can grow into the precipitation-bearing cumulus congestus or cumulonimbus clouds.