Cumulonimbus - the biggest beast it the sky

Štěpán Šubík

The last cloud type in the low-level troposphere is Cumulonimbus, the highest cloud. How can we recognize it and most importantly what does it mean when Cumulonimbus is coming our way?

Cumulonimbus is a heavy and dense cloud that can reach from the low level up to the high-level troposphere (from 1 km to 12 km). It is a white and grey massive cloud tower with smooth, fibrous or striated parts of its upper portion. The base is often really dark and bad looking at all.

photo: jacinta lluch valero;
link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/70626035@N00/15115948415;
desc: Cumulonimbus cloud type a low level cloud.;
licence: cc
Image credits: jacinta lluch valero

Usually, the Cumulonimbus brings heavy rain that can last for hours! And there's more! Cumulonimbus is responsible almost for every thunderstorm, tornados and other dangerous phenomenona. So, when you see it, find yourself a good shelter, stay at home or hide in a bar.

Have you seen the Cumulonimbus at its best? Send your photos!

photo: Piyapon Poottima;
link: https://www.pexels.com/photo/before-rain-cb-cloud-cumulonimbus-573949/;
desc: Cumulonimbus cloud type a low-level cloud.;
licence: cc
Image credits: Piyapon Poottima

JimInSanDiego

In the second to the last paragraph on the cumulonimbus learning clouds section, you wrote shalter and I think you meant to write shelter. I do like all the new enhancements to Windy.

Štěpán Šubík

@JimInSanDiego Thanks, it was a typo :-). It is corrected now.