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'{{Infobox Cloud | name = Cumulus congestus cloud | image location = Cumulus congestus cloud.jpg | image name = An example of cumulus congestus clouds visible in the distance. | abbreviation = TCu | symbol = CL_2.png | genus= [[Cumulus cloud|Cumulus]] ''(heaped)'' | species= congestus | variety= | altitude_m = Up to 6,000 | altitude_ft = Up to 20,000 | appearance = Dense with sharp outlines, developing vertically | precipitation = Cumulus congestus clouds produce showers.this cloud produce thunder and lightning and waterspout and landspout. }} '''Cumulus congestus clouds''', also known as '''towering cumulus''', are a form of [[cumulus cloud]] that can be based in the low or middle height ranges. They achieve considerable vertical development in areas of deep, moist [[Atmospheric convection|convection]]. They are an intermediate stage between [[Cumulus mediocris cloud|cumulus mediocris]] and [[Cumulonimbus cloud|cumulonimbus]], although showers of snow or rain are possible when the cloud is of great vertical extent.produce heavy rain showers and thunderstorms,waterspout and landspout.ref>{{Cite web|title=Learn About Cumulus Congestus Clouds|url=https://whatsthiscloud.com/cloud-species/congestus/|access-date=2021-03-22|website=whatsthiscloud|language=en-US}}</ref> == Description == [[File:Cahokia 1.jpg|thumb|left|Cumulus congestus cloud over [[Cahokia|Cahokia Mounds Museum]], [[Collinsville, Illinois]] ]] Cumulus congestus clouds are characteristic of unstable areas of the [[Earth's atmosphere|atmosphere]] which are undergoing [[convection]]. They are often characterized by sharp outlines and great vertical development. Because they are produced by (and primarily composed of) strong [[updraft]]s, they are typically taller than they are wide, and cloud tops can reach {{convert|6|km|ft|sigfig=2}},<ref>''See'' {{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/life.htm|title=Life Cycle of a Thunderstorm|work=JetStream - Online School for Weather|publisher=[[National Weather Service]]}}</ref> or higher in the tropics.<ref name="tropical">{{cite journal|title=Trimodal Characteristics of Tropical Convection|journal=Journal of Climate|volume=12|issue=8|pages=2397–2418|author1=Richard H. Johnson |author2=Thomas M. Rickenbach |author3=Steven A. Rutledge |author4=Paul E. Ciesielski |author5=Wayne H. Schubert |doi=10.1175/1520-0442(1999)012<2397:tcotc>2.0.co;2 |bibcode = 1999JCli...12.2397J |year=1999|citeseerx=10.1.1.406.1226}}</ref> Cumulus congestus clouds are formed by the development of cumulus mediocris generally, though they can also be formed from [[Altocumulus castellanus cloud|altocumulus castellanus]] or [[Stratocumulus cloud|stratocumulus]] castellanus as well.<ref name="AMS Glossary" /> The ''congestus'' species of cloud can only be found in the genus ''cumulus''<ref name="AMS Glossary">{{cite web|url=http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=cumulus-congestus1|publisher=American Meteorological Society|title=Glossary of Meteorology}}</ref> and is designated as ''towering cumulus'' (Tcu) by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Congestus clouds are capable of producing severe turbulence and showers of moderate to heavy intensity. This species is classified as vertical or multi-étage and is coded C_L2 in the synop report. These clouds are usually too large and opaque to have any opacity or pattern-based varieties. [[Pyrocumulus cloud|Pyrocumulus]] (No official abbreviation) is a free convective cloud associated with volcanic eruptions and large-scale fires. Pyrocumulus isn't recognized by the WMO as a distinct genus or species, but is, in essence, cumulus congestus formed under special circumstances that can also cause severe turbulence. Cumulus congestus will mature into [[cumulonimbus calvus]] under conditions of sufficient [[Atmospheric instability|instability]]. This transformation can be seen by the presence of smooth, fibrous, or striated aspects assumed by the cloud's upper part. This cloud type produces [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], often in abundance. These clouds also produce fair weather [[waterspouts]] forming from mesocyclones. These waterspouts tend to perish after precipitation or strong [[downdraft]]s form, by which time the congestus may have advanced to cumulonimbus. Cumulus congestus clouds can produce precipitation and even [[lightning]].<ref name="Courtier">{{cite journal |last = Courtier |first = Benjamin M. |author2 = T. H. M. Stein |author3 = R. G. Harrison |author4 = K. E. Hanley |author5 = J. M. Wilkinson |title = Intensification of single cell storms prior to lightning onset |journal = Atmos Sci Lett |volume = 20|issue = e873 |pages = e873|date = 2019 |doi = 10.1002/asl.873 |doi-access = free }}</ref> An approaching [[weather front]] often brings mid level clouds such as [[Altostratus cloud|altostratus]] or [[Altocumulus cloud|altocumulus]] which usually stop any cumulus from reaching the congestus stage by reducing the Sun's heat or acting as a layer of stable air through which the cumulus cannot rise through. Occasionally, however, particularly if the air below the mid level cloud is very warm or unstable, some of the cumuli may become congestus and the tops of them may rise above the mid level cloud layer, sometimes resulting in showers ahead of the main rainband. This is often a sign the approaching front contains at least a few cumulonimbi amongst the [[Nimbostratus cloud|nimbostratus]] rain clouds and therefore any rain may be accompanied by [[thunderstorm]]s. ==Turkey tower == [[Image:Turkey tower (Cumulus congestus).jpg|thumb|300px|right|An example of a Turkey tower in the distance]] '''Turkey tower''' is a [[slang term]] for a narrow, individual towering cloud from a small cumulus cloud which develops and suddenly falls apart.<ref>{{cite web | title = Weather Glossary - T | work = The Weather Company | publisher = Weatherzone | url = http://www.weatherzone.com.au/help/glossary.jsp?l=t#turkey%20tower | access-date = 2009-02-21}}</ref> Sudden development of turkey towers could signify the breaking or weakening of a [[capping inversion]].<ref>{{cite web | title = National Weather Service Glossary | work = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | publisher = Central Region Headquarters | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/glossary.php?letter=t | access-date = 2009-02-21}}</ref> {{Commons category|Cumulus congestus clouds}} [[File:Cumulus Cloud.jpg|thumb|Cumulus Cloud at Dooars, West Bengal]] == See also == * [[Altocumulus castellanus cloud]] * [[Cumulus castellanus cloud]] * [[Pileus (meteorology)|Pileus]] === Bibliography === * [http://glossary.ametsoc.org/wiki/Cumulus_congestus American Meteorological Society - Glossary of Meteorology] == References == {{Reflist|2}} {{Cloud types}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cumulus Castellanus Cloud}} [[Category:Cumulus]]'