Weatherwatch: the character and causes of cumulonimbus clouds

Known for their anvil-shaped tops, these threatening-looking clouds often produce heavy rain, thunder and lightningClouds are essentially a collection of tiny droplets of water or ice crystals in the atmosphere. They are formed when rising air cools to its dew point, at which the air becomes saturated. Further cooling allows water vapour to condense into cloud droplets.Cumulonimbus clouds are one of the most recognisable cloud types, characterised by their threatening anvil-shaped tops and the torrential rain, hail, thunder and lightning that they often produce. They are the tallest clouds we see, and can extend through the entire height of the troposphere. They are often isolated, but can also develop along fronts. Continue reading...