Understanding Storm Clouds and Weather Phenomena

Storm clouds, or cumulonimbus, are towering vertical clouds often harbingers of severe weather. Their presence indicates a clash between warm, moist air and cooler, drier air.

The cloud base's color can reveal much about the storm. Darker bases suggest thicker, moisture-rich clouds, potentially leading to heavy rain or hail.

The anvil shape, often seen at the top of cumulonimbus clouds, is created by high winds at higher altitudes and can indicate a particularly strong storm with possible severe weather.

Mammatus clouds, which appear as pouches hanging from the cloud base, often occur in association with severe storms but do not necessarily mean tornadoes are imminent.

Wall clouds are isolated lowering of clouds and may rotate. They are often the precursor to a tornado and indicate intense updrafts within the storm.

Virga is seen as streaks or wisps falling from a cloud but not reaching the ground. It occurs when precipitation evaporates before hitting the earth, often indicating dry air below.

A greenish sky, sometimes observed beneath storm clouds, is not fully understood. One theory is that it signifies a high water content within a storm, hinting at possible hail.