cumulonimbus
genus of clouds, dense towering vertical cloud associated with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability
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A cumulonimbus is a massive, tower-shaped cloud that forms when the atmosphere is unstable and develops vertically to great heights. These clouds are important because they produce thunderstorms and severe weather, making them significant for weather prediction and safety.
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Article
Cumulonimbus (from Latin cumulus 'swell' and nimbus 'cloud') is a dense, towering, vertical cloud, typically forming from water vapor condensing in the lower troposphere that builds upward carried by powerful buoyant air currents. Above the lower portions of the cumulonimbus the water vapor becomes ice crystals, such as snow and graupel, the interaction of which can lead to hail and to lightning formation, respectively.
When causing thunderstorms, these clouds may be called thunderheads. Cumulonimbus can form alone, in clusters, or along squall lines. These clouds are capable of producing lightning and other dangerous severe weather, such as tornadoes, hazardous winds, and large hailstones. Cumulonimbus progress from overdeveloped cumulus congestus clouds and may further develop as part of a supercell. Cumulonimbus is abbreviated as Cb.