A cumulonimbus capillatus is a cumulonimbus cloud with dense cirrus clouds above it, making the cloud top appear to contain hair-like structures. It is an intermediate stage between cumulonimbus calvus and cumulonimbus incus.
Etymology The name comes from the Latin word , meaning "with hair".
Hazards A cumulonimbus capillatus is a mature and powerful cumulonimbus cloud and can produce multiple severe weather.
Lightning: this is a strong thunderstorm cloud and it is capable of producing bursts of cloud to ground and cloud to cloud lightning. Hail: hailstones may fall from this cloud if it is in a highly unstable environment (which favors a more vigorous storm updraft). Heavy rain: the cloud may drop several inches of rain in a short amount of time. This can cause flash flooding. Strong wind: gale-force winds from a downburst may occur under this cloud. Weak to strong tornados can occur.
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