ESS5
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Cumulus
(Developing) Stage
qThis begins with
unstable air rises often as some surfaces
undergo more rapid heating than
others.
qOnly updrafts are
present as air rises and adiabatically
cools.
qAt first, the cumulus
clouds grow upward only for a short
distance, then they dissipate (because
of re-evaporation)
qEventually, enough
water vapor will be present to sustain
vertical cloud development which
occurs between 5-20 m/sec (10-45
mph)
q When precipitation begins to fall, the storm enters its next stage.