Term: cumulonimbus cloud
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01441

Definition:
Heavy masses of dense cloud whose cumuliform summits rise in the forms of towers, the upper parts having a fibrous texture and often spreading out into the shape of an anvil; these clouds generally produce showers of rain and sometimes of snow, hail or soft hail, and often develop into thunderstorms; up to 12000 m; summits may be as cold as -50°C; strong convective motions with vertical velocities of 3 to greater than 30 m s-1.

Source: PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2180 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)

Citation: 'cumulonimbus cloud' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01441

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