Sunday, August 12, 2012

Cumulonimbus capillatus incus

OK. Let me give you a mini lesson about why we have afternoon thunder storms in Miami. This photo is taken at South Beach's Pier park. The public beach is to the left. Ocean Drive is to the right along with all the famous tourist attractions. Please concentrate and look up to the sky.. Higher, please!

What you see are cumulus (cumulus congestus) clouds. These clouds can rapidly develop vertically into Cumulonimbus capillatus incus clouds that go higher up to an altitude between 2 to 16 kilometers.

Cumulonimbus is thus a towering very tall, dense, vertical cloud that has the bad habit of generating thunderstorms and other inclement weather. Cumulonimbus originates from Latin: Cumulus "heap" and nimbus "cloud". It is generated from atmospheric instabilities. These clouds can form alone, in clusters, or along a cold front in a squall line. Once formed, they can create lightning and other dangerous severe weather. Cumulonimbus clouds can further develop into supercells whose features are severe thunderstorm with generous water downpours.

Are you following my lesson? Didn't think so!
Cumulus

1 comment:

Alexander said...

I just love your blog, and Southern Miami rgds A