All three types produce no noticeable precipitation, but are usually harbingers of bad weather to follow. Perhaps the most ominous cloud of all, and the one associated with the most spectacular weather, is the cumulonimbus cloud, that wicked looking thunderhead. This cloud system may range from lower altitude far into the upper atmosphere where it flattens at the top. These clouds may begin forming in the morning and grow to immense proportions by late afternoon. They produce severe thunderstorms, hail, heavy rain, high winds and tornadoes.
Clouds can be fascinating to study, and satellite images show cloud patterns on a global basis.
Looking at a satellite picture of Earth and its clouds, it may appear as if there is an awful lot of water in the atmosphere. If all the clouds were to suddenly dump all the water vapor they hold onto the Earth, it would only produce about an inch of water worldwide, so there is no need to start building an ark,- yet. This page is best viewed when using Netscape 2.0.