Cumulonimbus capillatus | |
Abbreviation | Cb cap |
Family | D |
Genus | Cumulonimbus |
Occurrence | Worldwide except Antarctica |
Altitude | 600-18000m |
Formation | powerful convection assisted by atmospheric instability |
Precipitation | Heavy rain or hail |
Potential Hazards | Severe turbulence, thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, lightning, strong winds |
Cumulonimbus capillatus is a species of very large cumulonimbus cloud with a developed cirriform top composed of ice crystals (often an anvil, in which case the cloud is a cumulonimbus incus) that can extend to the tropopause. From ground level, cumulonimbus capillatus clouds may look dark grey and cover the sky.