Meteorology · Clouds — Cumulonimbus
The presence of a well-developed cumulonimbus with an anvil top indicates:
- AAn approaching warm front only
- BFair, stable weather for the next 24 hours
- CA mature thunderstorm capable of heavy rain, lightning, hail, strong gusts, and possibly waterspouts✓ Correct
- DLight steady drizzle
Explanation
Cumulonimbus is the thunderstorm cloud — deep convection reaching the tropopause, where the flattened anvil (incus) forms. It signals violent weather: heavy showers, lightning, hail, severe gusts, downbursts, and at sea possibly waterspouts.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9), clouds; WMO cloud classification
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