Cumulus cloud
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Cumulus Clouds |
|
| Altitude: | Below 2000m |
|---|---|
| Precipitation Cloud?: | Depends. Cumulus humilis and mediocris, most likely no, but cumulus congestus, sometimes, even often yes. |
| Abbreviation: | Cu |
A cumulus cloud (Cu) is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by puffs, mounds or towers, with flat bases and tops that often resemble cauliflower. They are formed in the troposphere at a lower altitude than altocumulus, usually below 8,000 feet (2,400 m). "Cumulus" is Latin for "heap" or "pile" (related to "accumulation").
They occur at heights of 1,640 to 19,685 feet (500–6,000 m) in elevation from the Earth and most often occur scattered or in dense heaped packs. They are formed by convection. Buoyant, upward air currents known as thermals rise to a height at which the moisture in the air can condense. Because of this, the clouds grow vertically instead of horizontally. For this reason, cumulus clouds are useful to glider pilots seeking to stay aloft for long periods. Though most common in warm summer weather, cumulus clouds can be formed at any time of year. If conditions are right, cumulus clouds can grow into cumulonimbus clouds, which bring thunderstorms.
Cumulus clouds often form in anti-cyclonic weather, but sometimes the descending air in the anticyclone produces an inversion layer which prevents the air rising to a height where its moisture can condense. In these conditions, cumulus clouds do not form, and the sky is cloudless. In most cases, however, this process takes more than 45 minutes.
[edit] Types of cumulus clouds
[edit] External links
 |
This climatology/meteorology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
