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Cumulonimbus Clouds, Meaning, Characteristics, Formation, Effects

Cloud

A cloud is made up of tiny water droplets and ice crystals suspended in the air. They can be large and easily seen in different sizes, shapes, and colours. Clouds reflect sunlight, helping to cool the Earth. Clouds form when air is filled with water vapour. Cold air holds less water vapour than warm air, so when warm air cools, clouds form from the moisture.

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Cumulonimbus clouds, also known as thunderstorm clouds, produce rain and lightning. They can bring heavy rain, strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Many areas rely on these clouds for most of their rainfall. Cumulonimbus clouds help move moisture and heat high into the atmosphere, affecting weather patterns and air quality.

Cumulonimbus Clouds Formation

  • Cumulonimbus clouds are tall, dense clouds that form from water vapor in the lower atmosphere.
  •  They are created by strong upward air currents that lift moist air.
  •  Water vapour in these clouds can turn into ice crystals, leading to snow, graupel, and even hail.
  •  When they form during thunderstorms, they are called thunderheads.
  •  Cumulonimbus clouds can appear alone or in groups, sometimes along squall lines.
  •  They can cause severe weather, including lightning, tornadoes, high winds, and large hail.
  •  These clouds often develop from cumulus congestus clouds and may become part of a supercell.

Cumulonimbus Clouds Characteristics

Cumulonimbus clouds are tall and often have smaller cumulus clouds around them. Their bases can range from a few meters to several kilometers wide forming between 200 to 4000 meters high. These clouds can reach heights of 12000 meters or more, with some even reaching 21,000 meters (69,000 feet). A well-developed cumulonimbus cloud has a flat top, called an anvil dome, created by wind shear or temperature changes at high altitudes. This anvil can extend far and may have lightning. Sometimes, rising air pushes beyond this level, forming an “overshooting top.” Overall, cumulonimbus clouds are much larger than nearby clouds.

Difference between Cumulus Clouds and Cumulonimbus Clouds

Cumulus Clouds Cumulonimbus Clouds
Cumulus clouds appear huge and are dome-shaped. Cumulonimbus clouds appear like huge mountains and have an anvil-shaped top portion.
Cumulus clouds form as a result of vertical airflow. Cumulus clouds gradually transform into Cumulonimbus clouds as the vertical flow increases.
These clouds are grey in colour and are responsible for fair and pleasant weather. These are dark-coloured clouds which cause thunder and lightning.
These clouds are also called ‘Fairweather clouds’. These clouds are also known as ‘Thunderheads’

Cumulonimbus Clouds Effects

  • Cumulonimbus storm clouds can cause heavy rain, flash flooding, and strong winds.
  • Most storm cells last about 20 minutes because rain creates downdrafts that reduce their energy.
  • Unstable and moist conditions can cause new storms to form from the outflow of one storm, leading to thunderstorms that can last for hours or days.
  • Cumulonimbus clouds can also cause “thundersnow,” which involves heavy snowfall and strong winds, reducing visibility.
  • These clouds are most common in tropical areas but also appear in warm seasons in other regions.
  • A haboob is a dust storm created by a downburst from a cumulonimbus cloud.

Cumulonimbus Hazards are dangerous?

Cumulonimbus clouds are very dangerous for aviation because of strong winds, low visibility, lightning, and the risk of icing and hail. They create a lot of turbulence in thunderstorms. Sudden changes in wind speed, known as wind shear, can cause downbursts, which have led to accidents. Microbursts, a type of sudden wind, are especially risky and can result in crashes. While most downbursts show rain, dry microbursts are hard to see. There has also been at least one fatal airline accident caused by flying through a tornado.

Rain

Cumulonimbus clouds produce heavy rain, sometimes exceeding 2 inches per hour, which can lead to flooding and affect aircraft systems.

Updrafts and Downdrafts

These clouds have strong updrafts that lift moisture and downdrafts that bring rain, creating turbulence that can damage aircraft.

Icing Conditions

Moisture in the clouds can freeze, causing ice to build up on aircraft, which can block sensors and affect control, especially at the tops of clouds.

Hail

Strong updrafts can create hail, which can damage aircraft. Hail often forms high in the cloud and can be ejected far from the cloud.

Lightning

Cumulonimbus clouds produce lightning, which can cause disorientation for pilots and damage to aircraft systems, especially during night flights.

Tornadoes

These clouds can produce tornadoes, indicating severe weather conditions. Avoiding the area around such clouds is essential for safety.

Cumulonimbus Clouds UPSC

During the night, clouds reflect heat back to the earth, keeping it warm. Clouds help to keep it cooler outside by blocking the sun’s rays during the day. Understanding clouds aids in comprehending weather and climate.

As a UPSC aspirant, you should be well-versed with the types of clouds and their specifications.

Other Indian Geography Topics

Seasons of India Mountains of India
Mangrove Forests in India Important Mountain Passes in India
Monsoon in India
Indus River System
Climate of India
Rivers of India
Tributaries of Ganga
National Parks in India
Important Dams in India
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
Tiger Reserves in India
Northern Plains of India
Physiography of India
Important Lakes of India
Wetlands in India
Biodiversity in India
Natural Vegetation in India Earthquakes in India
Types of Soil in India
Ramsar Sites in India
Brahmaputra River System
Hydropower Plants in India
Nuclear Power Plants in India
Major Ports in India
Biosphere Reserves in India
Waterfalls in India

Other Fundamental Geography Topics

Solar System Types of Clouds
Structure of the Atmosphere Himalayan Ranges
Component of Environment
El Nino and La Nina
Coral Reef
Continental Drift Theory
Endogenic and Exogenic Forces
Indian Ocean Region
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean Dipole
Air Pollution
Environmental Impact Assessment
Tropical Cyclone
Western Disturbances
Types of Rocks

 

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FAQs

What are clouds?

When the water in the sky condenses, clouds are created. Tiny water droplets or ice crystals have accumulated in the atmosphere of the Earth and become visible as clouds.

What do altocumulus clouds indicate?

Altocumulus clouds are typically associated with calm weather and appear white or grey with shading.

What kind of weather do cumulus clouds bring?

A cumulus usually indicates fair weather and appears on bright sunny days. However, if the conditions are favourable, cumulus can form towering cumulus congestus or cumulonimbus clouds, which can produce showers.

What is fog over the water called?

Sea fog or lake fog are terms used to describe fog that forms over water. When warm, moist air flows over relatively colder waters, it forms. Over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, and other bodies of water, fog can form.

Why are clouds white?

In a cloud, much bigger water droplets scatter the sunlight. As a result, the sunlight continues to be white, which makes the clouds appear white against the background of the blue sky. These spread all colours almost evenly.

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