What Is Cumulonimbus?
The towering thunderstorm cloud that can reach over 50,000 feet, making lightning, heavy rain, hail, and sometimes tornadoes. In technical terms: A low-based cloud genus of great vertical extent, with a glaciated, fibrous upper portion often spreading into an anvil; produces lightning, thunder and showery precipitation and may reach the tropopause (12-18 km) or overshoot it.
Also called: Cb, Thunderhead
Cumulonimbus In Plain English
The towering thunderstorm cloud that can reach over 50,000 feet, making lightning, heavy rain, hail, and sometimes tornadoes.
The Technical Definition
A low-based cloud genus of great vertical extent, with a glaciated, fibrous upper portion often spreading into an anvil; produces lightning, thunder and showery precipitation and may reach the tropopause (12-18 km) or overshoot it.
Lessons That Use Cumulonimbus
- The Ten Cloud Types Unit 5: Clouds And Precipitation
