thunderheads
Towering storm clouds
Thunderheads are towering cumulonimbus clouds that signal approaching thunderstorms.
They rise dramatically with flat, anvil-shaped tops and dark bases, often bringing lightning, heavy rain, and sometimes hail.
The term captures both their imposing appearance and their association with thunder: Thunderheads were building on the horizon.
Towering storm-producing cloud
- anvilMetal-shaping block
- updraftUpward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- supercellRotating severe thunderstorm
nimbus · precipitation · cloudburst · downdraft · lightning · hail · atmospheric · barometer
Atmospheric electrical discharge
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- downpourIntense precipitation event
- delugeSevere overflow of water
tornado · hail · rainfall · torrent · monsoon · windstorm · cyclone · gale
Fearful anticipation of harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
darkening · gathering · billowing · approaching · brewing · portentous · warning · impending
Extremely large and heavy
- billowingPuffing out dramatically
- skywardToward the firmament
- monumentalExceptionally large or significant
- giganticImmensely large in scale
majestic · imposing · dominating · mountainous · colossal · soaring · vertical · dramatic
cumulonimbus
Towering storm-producing cloud
- anvilMetal-shaping block
- updraftUpward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
supercell · nimbus · precipitation · cloudburst · downdraft · lightning · hail · atmospheric · barometer · humidity
lightning
Atmospheric electrical discharge
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- downpourIntense precipitation event
deluge · tornado · hail · rainfall · torrent · monsoon · windstorm · cyclone · gale · electrical
foreboding
Fearful anticipation of harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- loomingAppearing threateningly close
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
threatening · darkening · gathering · billowing · approaching · brewing · portentous · warning · impending · glowering
massive
Extremely large and heavy
- billowingPuffing out dramatically
- skywardToward the firmament
- monumentalExceptionally large or significant
gigantic · majestic · imposing · dominating · mountainous · colossal · soaring · vertical · dramatic · impressive
- cloud artcloudscapes, cumulus, cirrus, stratus, nimbus
- High Plainsshortgrass prairie, grassland, prairie dog, buffalo grass, wheat fields
- driving weathericy roads, wet roads, slippery roads, hydroplaning, black ice
thunderheadsclear skies
Absence of cloud cover
fair weather · blue skies · sunny skies · cirrus clouds · wispy clouds
thunderheadsopen sky
Unobstructed atmosphere above
clear skies · clear sky · blue sky · sunny skies · empty sky
thunderheadscirrus
High wispy ice formation
wispy clouds · mare's tails · altocumulus · stratus · fog