Cumulonimbus calvus | |
Abbreviation | Cb calv |
Family | D |
Type | Cumulonimbus |
Occurrence | Worldwide except Antarctica |
Altitude | 900-9000m |
Formation | Powerful convection enhanced by atmospheric instability |
Precipitation | Moderate to heavy showers |
Potential Hazards | Significant turbulence at cloud level, strong winds |
Cumulonimbus Calvus is the first stage of Cumulonimbus, which is capable of producing precipitation, but not yet to the point of producing anvils. They grow from Cumulus congestus and consist mainly of water droplets. At this stage there are only upward drafts (ie hot air).
This type of Cumulonimbus has well-defined contours and a round shape like a cauliflower. One indicator of the evolution of Cumulus congestus to Cumulonimbus calvus is the pileus. When the top droplets begin to turn to ice, the cloud is in a state of transition to capillatus type.
Clouds | |
---|---|
High Clouds (Family A): | Cirrus (Ci) • Cirrus aviaticus • Cirrus intortus • Cirrus radiatus • Cirrus uncinus • Cirrus Kelvin-Helmholtz • Cirrostratus (Cs) • Cirrocumulus (Cc) • Pileus • Contrail |
Middle Clouds (Family B): | Altostratus (As) • Altostratus undulatus • Altocumulus (Ac) • Altocumulus undulatus • Altocumulus mackerel sky • Altocumulus castellanus • Altocumulus lenticularis |
Low Clouds (Family C): | Stratus (St) • Orographic stratus • Fog • Nimbostratus (Ns) • Cumulus humilis (Cu) • Cumulus mediocris (Cu) • Stratocumulus (Sc) |
Vertical Clouds (Family D): | Cumulonimbus (Cb) • Cumulonimbus incus • Cumulonimbus calvus • Cumulonimbus with mammatus • Cumulus congestus • Cumulus castellanus • Pyrocumulus • Pyrocumulonimbus |