Cumulonimbus capillatus

Cumulonimbus capillatus
Cumulonimbus Capillatus
Abbreviation	Cb cap.
Genus	Cumulonimbus (heap, cloud/severe rain)
Species	Capillatus (fiborous)
Classification	Family D (Vertically developed)
Appearance	Large cloud with fiborous, hair -like cirriform anvil top
Precipitation cloud?	Yes, often intense

A Cumulonimbus capillatus (Latin Capillatus, "hair") is a sub-form of cumulonimbus incus. It is a cumulonimbus cloud which has reached the level of stratospheric stability and has formed the characteristic flat, anvil shaped top with dense cirrus clouds which makes the cloud's top appear to contain hair-like structures.

Hazards

A Cumulonimbus Capillatus is a mature and powerful cumulonimbus cloud and can produce multiple severe weather.

• Lightning; this is a strong thunderstorm cloud and it is capable of producing bursts of cloud to ground and cloud to cloud lightning.
• Hail; hailstones may fall from this cloud if it is in a highly unstable environment (which favors a more vigorous storm updraft).
• Heavy rain; the cloud may drop several inches of rain in a short amount of time. This can cause flash flooding.
• Strong wind; gale-force winds from a downburst may occur under this cloud.