CB's are the strongest of any cumulus clouds. . .
/weather guy departing right now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bdhill1979  That is kind of a bogus question, because they are the same type of cloud, one just has a lifting force associated. If those were the only two then definately go with the towering cumulonimbus, the taller they are the stronger they are. Both are a hazard to be avoided by aircraft, but the towering variety definately are the greater hazard. |
AAAH!! Wrong. There is no such thing as a Towering Cumulonimbus. There is Towering Cumulus, and Cumulonimbus. End.
There are 27 states of the sky. L2 (Towering Cumulus) is far less violant than L3 or L9 (CB or CB with Anvil or Mamatus observed). L standing for Low etage.
Both of these clouds are convective in nature, but it is important to realize and understand that a Towering CU does not have LTG or Hail associated with it, where as a CB does. So no. . . the "towering" variety is not the greater hazard. Yes they are both Towering cumulus cloud types, but a TCU is the second stage of a mature thunderstorm or CB. First stage is the cumulus stage, then towering cu, then CB. CB > TCU. The End.
If I really have to break it down further, I'll shoot myself.
/weather man out for good.