Survival Guide: Recognize Which Clouds Mean Danger – Series Part 4

During severe weather outbreaks, conditions can change rapidly and the weather can turn volatile quickly. It is crucial to follow severe weather and tornado-related watches and warnings during episodes of severe storms. Keeping a weather radio nearby, with extra batteries handy, is a must. If you are out on the open road, staying tuned to severe weather alerts and being able to read the clouds for severe weather can help save your life. This week we present a breakdown of ominous-looking clouds and the dangers associated with them.

Thunderstorm Anvil Cloud

Anvil clouds are the flat top of a thunderstorm, or cumulonimbus cloud. They can spread up to "hundreds of miles downwind from the thunderstorm itself," according to the National Weather Service. Lightning can strike from anvil clouds, even far away from a thunderstorm. Lightning described as striking "from out of the blue" is usually from an anvil cloud that has drifted from a thunderstorm.



Mammatus Cloud

Striking mammatus clouds can sometimes be seen below thunderstorm anvil clouds. The rounded and smooth look of mammutus clouds captivates onlookers. They are often found underneath anvil clouds of severe thunderstorms; however, they can form underneath clouds associated with non-severe thunderstorms as well.