Cumulus Heaped Clouds

Above: Cumulus Heaped Clouds

Cumulus Heaped Clouds

Weather forecasting has emerged as a complete new field and no doubt is a complicated process. However, meager knowledge of clouds can really help you in predicting the weather yourself, which is fun at times. Clouds are categorized into different groups on the basis of their shapes, sizes and other features. The very name which comes in mind when you start discussing clouds is the cumulus heaped clouds.

What are cumulus heaped clouds?

Cumulus heaped clouds are low level clouds with not much altitude. They can be easily identified with their white fluffy shape. Unlike other types of clouds, they are not taken as a warning signal for any kind of thunderstorm. However, you can expect a short sharp shower. When it gets windy, these clouds form a line usually termed as cloud streets.

What height is cumulus heaped clouds found?

Since they are low level clouds they usually have a base of two thousand meters. The top part of the cloud looks like a rounded tower. Cumulus heaped clouds progress vertically and can turn into cumulonimbus clouds with their tops over 39000 ft. These clouds are known as thunderstorm clouds.

Classification of cumulus heaped clouds

Cumulus heaped clouds are further classified under following types:

  • Cumulus humilis
  • Cumulus fractus
  • Cumulus congestus
  • Cumulus castellanus
  • Cumulonimbus
  • Altocumulus

How are cumulus heaped clouds formed?

As warm air rises and meets a cold body, condensation takes place; this is called the convection process where the air is warmer than surrounding air. The temperature of air keeps on falling till the time it reaches dew point, at this stage condensed water is separated from the air around it. This is how clouds are created and the size of the cloud is dependent on the temperature difference between the masses of cold and hot air. The greater the temperature difference, the bigger the size of the cloud will be.

What do cumulus heaped clouds look like?

If you see fluffy clouds which look more like cotton balls floating in the air, then surely they are cumulus heaped clouds. They got their name because of their unique appearance. Cumulus means piled up. They are known to be a photographers’ favorite as you will see these clouds in most of the scenic paintings. It is believed that they give a harmonious touch to the painting.

How common are cumulus heaped clouds?

Cumulus heaped clouds usually appear on nice sunny days. They indicate calm and mild weather and these clouds play an important role in the changing weather. As cumulus clouds get bigger, they transform into cumulonimbus clouds that are known for bringing precipitation. It depends on the temperature whether it will rain or snow and the lifespan of these clouds lie between five to forty minutes.

Where can I see cumulus heaped clouds?

Cumulus clouds happen to be the clouds formed at the lowest level and they are usually formed at an altitude of less than sixty five hundred feet. Depending upon the weather condition, cumulus clouds can be seen even at a height of three hundred feet above the ground.

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