© Elisa Sala Salvador
46194 Real, Valencia, Spain
Latitude: 39° 20' 7'' N
Longitude: 0° 36' 34'' W
10 October 2014 1830 (Local Time)
Camera direction: towards SE
Image P/S code: S.10.2
Image I.D.: 4780
CL = 9, CM = 0, CH = 3
A line of Cumulus and Cumulonimbus capillatus formed in the unstable air on and ahead of a trough of low pressure. The main cell is identified as Cumulonimbus capillatus as some of its upper portion has cirriform parts of clearly fibrous structure (parts of the cloud top have started to freeze). This cell is flanked by Cumulus congestus cells at 1, 2 and 3 that show a range of vertical extents as they are at different stages in their life cycle.
Stratocumulus, Altocumulus and Cirrus formed from the spreading of parts of the cumuliform cloud line are present. The Stratocumulus and Altocumulus are identified as cumulonimbogenitus even if they formed before the mother-cloud reached the Cumulonimbus stage.
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This is a surface chart from over four hours before the photo was taken. It shows unstable conditions as a trough and cold front approach from the west.
This sounding is from 155 km south-south-west. It shows high moisture content from 430 to 270 hPa.
Cloud developing on and ahead of the trough can be seen to the west and north of Real, Spain. A Cumulonimbus cell is developing just offshore of Valencia and a large cell is between Zaragoza and Barcelona.
Cumulonimbus is a heavy and dense cloud of considerable or great vertical extent, in the form of a mountain or huge towers. At least part of its upper portion is usually smooth, fibrous or striated, and is nearly always flattened. In this zoomed image, most of the sproutings of the upper parts are becoming fibrous and indistinct at 1 and 2 as they transition from Cumulonimbus calvus to the species capillatus. The overall look of the upper parts is still one of bulging domes, but no anvil (incus) has yet developed. Capillatus is usually accompanied by precipitation in the form of a shower (the supplementary feature praecipitatio), seen here on the lower right 15 to 20 km away. Near the top of the highest tower is a small patch of Altocumulus cumulonimbogenesis. Also in this image are the cauliflower-like sproutings of Cumulus congestus, some Cumulus mediocris and probable Cumulus fractus, which appears closer to the camera due to perspective.
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