TCU / Towering Cumulus / Congestus / Updrafts

[Adam Adkins]

What is your favorite cloud? That might sound like a dumb question, but that's subjective. My favorite cloud is the Towering Cumulus.

I've been doing some specific research, and I'm interested in just how tall these cauliflower clouds can go before an anvil develops. The sight of a powerful tower, from the surface up to however high, is spectacular to me. I've seen photos of what I'm describing here from volcanic eruptions, but I am sure there is documentation of TCU looking similarly.

PLEASE POST PICS! Does anyone have any really good specific shots of TCU specifically, with as much distance from updraft base to the top of the mushroom as possible? These typically would be early-chase shots, and they're difficult to obtain online. I'd really like to see how high some of you have seen them go! How high do you believe it's possible for them to go?

Thanks all, I appreciate the photos and discussion! Here's one of the better ones I've taken personally, with my iPhone. Palmer Lake, CO, 2016.

 

[Bob Schafer]

I've seen radar indicated echo tops up to around 72,000 feet. One such was the Greensburg KS storm. That would not be the anvil, of course, but the overshooting top.