Growing and towering cumulus

During the weather briefing, we recognized cumulus clouds above the sea. So we decided to catch clouds over the ocean in contrast to the flights of yesterday. After the profile from 180 ft (ACTOS height) to 8000 ft (helicopter height) in our measurement area, only very thin cumulus clouds were below us (see upper picture). Additionally, a slightly increased concentration of aerosols and CCNs was detected in 8000 ft. Thus, we decided to stay there for a 5 minutes long leg. Afterwards, we tried to catch the thin cumulus clouds and recognized growing ones over the island. In the middle of the island, the cumulus clouds towered and their tops were partly separated and drifted eastwards resulting in a compact altostratus layer. That is shown in the lower picture, which also shows a cumulus congestus at the west coast of Barbados including some showers. We catched the thicker cumulus clouds at the east coast of Barbados, while the developed altostratus covered the sky above us. Thus, the radiation measurements were handicapped. On our way back to the airport we found some cumulus clouds, which were not influenced by this layer - but there was cirrus above.