anvil clouds
Flat-topped storm clouds
Anvil clouds are the distinctive flat-topped formations that spread outward from the tops of powerful thunderstorms, resembling a blacksmith's anvil in profile.
They form when rising air in a cumulonimbus cloud hits the tropopause and spreads horizontally, unable to rise further.
The presence of an anvil cloud signals a mature, intense storm system capable of producing severe weather including heavy rain, hail, and tornadoes.
Rotating severe thunderstorm
- thunderstormViolent weather with lightning
- tornadoViolent rotating windstorm
- lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
- thunderStorm's acoustic aftermath
hail · downdraft · microburst · downburst · mesocyclone · squall · severe weather · flash flood
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- troposphereLowest atmospheric layer
- incusMiddle ear ossicle
- glaciationIce sheet spreading process
towering · freezing level · ice crystals · outflow · spreading · flattening · mushrooming · atmospheric layers
Of imposing height
- massiveExtremely large and heavy
- spreadingExtending over space
- mammatusPouch-like cloud protrusions
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
majestic · billowing · sculptural · luminous · silhouette · shadowed · backlit · dome
Suggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- darkeningGrowing less bright
threatening · looming · oppressive · dramatic · imposing · sombre · daunting · heavy
Atmospheric water deposit
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- weather frontMeeting of air masses
- storm warningSevere weather notification
severe weather alert · meteorology · satellite imagery · storm prediction · watch · advisory · Doppler · barometric pressure
supercell
Rotating severe thunderstorm
- thunderstormViolent weather with lightning
- tornadoViolent rotating windstorm
- lightningAtmospheric electrical discharge
thunder · hail · downdraft · microburst · downburst · mesocyclone · squall · severe weather · flash flood · graupel
updraft
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- troposphereLowest atmospheric layer
- incusMiddle ear ossicle
glaciation · towering · freezing level · ice crystals · outflow · spreading · flattening · mushrooming · atmospheric layers · wind shear
towering
Of imposing height
dramatic · majestic · billowing · sculptural · luminous · silhouette · shadowed · backlit · dome · striated
ominous
Suggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
darkening · threatening · looming · oppressive · dramatic · imposing · sombre · daunting · heavy · gathering
precipitation
Atmospheric water deposit
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- weather frontMeeting of air masses
storm warning · severe weather alert · meteorology · satellite imagery · storm prediction · watch · advisory · Doppler · barometric pressure · CAPE
anvil cloudsclear skies
Absence of cloud cover
blue sky · cirrus · stratus · wispy clouds · fog
cloud, cloudy, clouded, clouds, cloudless, cloudiness, anvil, clouding, anvils