cumulonimbus

Everyday

1. A cumulonimbus is a very tall, heavy, dark cloud that brings thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail or lightning. tree →
2. It is the biggest kind of cloud and can have a flat top shaped like an anvil. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons on the weather, cumulonimbus is one of the main cloud types; seeing it means a storm may be coming. In safety lessons, when thunder clouds come, get indoors and away from tall trees and water. The name comes from Latin: cumulus (heap) + nimbus (rain cloud).

Examples

• A huge cumulonimbus cloud filled the sky. tree →
• Cumulonimbus clouds bring thunder and lightning. tree →
• The top of a cumulonimbus is shaped like an anvil. tree →
• We went inside when we saw the cumulonimbus coming. tree →
• Hail falls from cumulonimbus clouds. tree →
• Label the cumulonimbus on your cloud chart. tree →

Note

A science word; plural cumulonimbi or cumulonimbus clouds. Different from cumulus (fluffy fair-weather clouds) and cirrus (thin high wispy clouds). Myth: lightning never strikes the same place twice — it can.