Cumulus congestus cloud

Infobox Cloud
name = Cumulus congestus cloud
image location = Kinabalu-silhouette-cloud.jpg

Mount Kinabalu.
abbreviation =
symbol = CL_2.png genus= Cumulus
species= congestus
variety=
altitude_m = up to 6,000
altitude_ft = up to 20,000
level = vertical
appearance = sharp outlines and great vertical development
precipitation = frequently, but not always ["See" cite web|url=http://www.met.utah.edu/galleries/home_page_images/cu_cong02.jpg/photo_view|title=Weather Photo Gallery|publisher=University of Utah Department of Meteorology] __NOTOC__

Cumulus congestus clouds (also towering cumulus (TCu)) are characteristic of unstable areas of the atmosphere which are undergoing convection. They are often characterized by sharp outlines and great vertical development. Because cumulus congestus is produced by strong updrafts, it is typically taller than it is wide, and cloud tops can reach convert|6|km|ft|sigfig=2, ["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] or higher in the tropics.cite journal|title=Trimodal Characteristics of Tropical Convection|journal=Journal of Climate|author=Richard H. Johnson, Thomas M. Rickenbach, Steven A. Rutledge, Paul E. Ciesielski, and Wayne H. Schubert|publisher=American Meteorological Society] Cumulus congestus clouds are formed by the development of cumulus mediocris generally, though they can also be formed from altocumulus castellanus or stratocumulus castellanus as well.

Cumulus congestus will mature into cumulonimbus calvus under conditions of sufficient 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, often in abundance. The "congestus" species of cloud can only be found in the genus "cumulus".cite web|url=http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=cumulus-congestus1|publisher=American Meteorological Society|title=Glossary of Meteorology] Cumulus congestus contains towers which contain many high working cells.

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Footnotes

Bibliography

* [http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=cumulus-congestus1 American Meteorological Society - Glossary of Meteorology]

See also

* Cumulus castellanus
* Cumulonimbus