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Cumulonimbus incus

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(Redirected from Anvil clouds)

Cumulonimbus incus
A cumulonimbus incus cloud, showing the characteristic anvil-top shape the cloud type displays
AbbreviationCb inc.
Symbol
GenusCumulonimbus (heap, cloud/severe rain)
SpeciesCapillatus (Having hair)
VarietyNone
AltitudeGround to 23,000 m
(75,000 ft)
ClassificationFamily C (Low-level)
AppearanceLarge flat-top cloud
PrecipitationVery common rain, snow, snow pellets or hail, heavy at times

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] Cumulonimbus incus is a subtype of cumulonimbus capillatus. These clouds are commonly associated with severe weather, including heavy rain, downbursts, and occasionally a tornado.

Hazards

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A cumulonimbus incus is a mature thunderstorm cloud generating many dangerous elements.

  • Lightning: this storm cloud is capable of producing bursts of cloud-to-ground lightning.
  • Hail: hailstones may fall from this cloud if it is a highly unstable environment (which favours a more vigorous storm updraft).
  • Heavy rain: this cloud may drop several inches (centimetres) of rain in a short amount of time. This can cause flash flooding.
  • Strong wind: gale-force winds from a downburst may occur under this cloud.
  • Tornadoes: in severe cases (most commonly with supercells), it can produce tornadoes. They are not directly produced by cumulonimbus incus but rather produced by supercells which come from cumulonimbus incus.

Classification

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Cumulonimbus incus over Africa, seen from the International Space Station

Cumulonimbus clouds can be powerful. If the correct atmospheric conditions are met, they can grow into a supercell storm. This cloud may be a single-cell thunderstorm or one cell in a multicellular thunderstorm. They are capable of producing severe storm conditions for a short amount of time.

References

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  1. ^ "Incus".
  2. ^ "Cumulonimbus Incus". EPOD (service of USRA).
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