Cumulus humilis cloud

Cumulus humilis are cumuliform clouds with little vertical extent, common in the summer, that are often referred to as "fair weather cumulus". If they develop into cumulus mediocris or cumulus congestus, thunderstorms could form later in the day.[1]

Cumulus humilis clouds
AbbreviationCu
Symbol
GenusCumulus (heap)
Specieshumilis (humble)
Altitude500-3000 m
(1,500-10,000 ft)
Precipitation cloud?Uncommon, but it can be an indicator for development of storms within 12 to 24 hours. Can develop into cumulus mediocris or congestus clouds, both of which are frequent precipitation clouds.

They generally form at lower altitudes (500–3000 m (1,500–10,000 ft)), but in hot countries or over mountainous terrain these clouds can occur at an altitude of up to 6,000 m (20,000 ft). They show no significant vertical development, indicating that the temperature in the atmosphere above them either drops off very slowly or not at all with altitude; that is, the adiabatic lapse rate is small. Cumulus humilis may be accompanied by other cloud types.

Air below the cloud base can be quite turbulent due to the thermals that formed the clouds, giving occupants of light aircraft an uncomfortable ride.[2] To avoid turbulence where such clouds are present, pilots may climb above the cloud tops. However, glider pilots actively seek out the rising air to gain altitude.

These clouds may later metamorphose into cumulus clouds when convection is intense enough,[3] though the presence of these types of clouds usually indicates fair weather.[1]

Forecasting

Morning cumulus humilis clouds are signs of an unstable atmosphere. Larger clouds or possibly thunderstorms could form throughout the day to cause bad or severe weather in the afternoon or evening. Cumulus humilis clouds are not rain clouds but could precede a storm.

Cumulus humilis are sometimes seen beneath cirrostratus clouds, which block some of the heat from the sun and thus create an inversion, causing any cumuliform clouds to flatten and become cumulus humilis. In this case, a warm front could be approaching and rain is possible for the next 12 to 24 hours.

When cumulus humilis appear in a clear sky, they are an indicator of pleasant weather for the next several hours.

Formation

Cumulus humilis clouds are formed by rising warm air or thermals with ascending air currents of 2–5 m/s (7–17 ft/s).[4] These clouds are usually very small convective clouds and usually form after a thermal reaches the condensation level. They can develop into cumulus mediocris clouds but most often dissipate a few minutes after formation.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Windows2Universe".
  2. "NOAA Turbulence Guide". Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  3. "Cumulus mediocris". Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  4. "Cumulus humilis". Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  5. "Cumulus humilis". Retrieved 2014-11-04.
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