An anvil cloud is most likely to form when
A)a parcel of warm air begins to cool and loses buoyancy.
B)rising air reaches the tropopause and loses buoyancy.
C)water vapor is converted to a liquid and rain starts to fall.
D)a thunderstorm invades a package of stable air and spreads out.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An anvil cloud is a type of cumulonimbus cloud that spreads out at the top due to encountering the tropopause, which acts as a lid and prevents the vertical ascent of the cloud. As a result, the cloud's upper portion flattens out to form a distinctive anvil shape. Therefore, option B is correct as it describes the scenario of rising air reaching the tropopause and losing buoyancy, which is needed for the formation of an anvil cloud.

An Anvil Cloud Is Most Likely to Form When