Carl Kurtz Nature Photo: Cumulonimbus Cloud

The weather of early spring can create dramatic cloud formations as cold fronts from the north clash with warm moist Gulf air. Large puffy cumulus clouds in midday generally indicate fair weather, however, they can turn into cumulonimbus clouds to produce afternoon thunderstorms and rain. They are towering cloud masses that can rise to heights of more than 10 miles and may be visible for 100 miles distant. Contact Carl Kurtz at cpkurtz@netins.net.