Cumulonimbus incus
| Cumulonimbus incus | |
|---|---|
 A cumulonimbus incus cloud, showing the characteristic anvil-top shape the cloud type displays | |
| Abbreviation | Cb inc. |
| Symbol |  |
| Genus | Cumulonimbus (heap, cloud/severe rain) |
| Species | Capillatus (Having hair) |
| Variety | None |
| Altitude | Ground to 23,000 m (75,000 ft) |
| Classification | Family C (Low-level) |
| Appearance | Large flat-top cloud |
| Precipitation cloud? | Very common Rain, Snow, Snow pellets or Hail, heavy at times |
A cumulonimbus incus (Latin incus, "anvil"), also known as an anvil cloud, is a cumulonimbus cloud which has reached the level of stratospheric stability and has formed the characteristic flat, anvil-top shape.[1] It signifies the thunderstorm in its mature stage, succeeding the cumulonimbus calvus stage.[2] Cumulonimbus incus is a sub-form of Cumulonimbus capillatus.
Hazards
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's a highly unstable environment (which favours a more vigorous storm updraft).
- Heavy rain: this cloud may drop several inches (millimetres) 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.
Classification
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.
In popular culture
- It is a key plot point in the anime Tenki no Ko (Weathering With You).
References
External links
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