Types of clouds #7

Next up is the cumulonimbus cloud. What a mouthful. It is a combination of cumulus (heap) and nimbus. (rainstorm) This pesky cloud is associated with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability. These are the clouds that are usually referred to thunderheads and can even develop into tornadoes. They generally need three things to form: moisture, an unstable air mass, and a lifting force, most often heat.