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CB or towering cumulus?

Asked by: 9538 views Weather

as i read CB is the most dangerous cloud for aviation. i want to know why CB is more dangerous than towering cumulus?

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2 Answers



  1. jeff on Apr 24, 2015

    Generally, it is a matter of degree. Culmulonimbus (CB) are associated with more unstability of the air than Fair weather culmulus. The CB tend to have more moisture and heights between 2000-45000 and by definition are already associated with convective activity, whereas the “towering culmulus” exist between 1000-6000 ft. They have less moisture, the air is less unstable, and convective activity is not present. Nothing however prevents a “towering culmulus” from developing into Culmulonimbus. While CB should be avoided like the plague, aircraft do fly through the other culmulus, although I would strongly suggest you have your shoulder belt/harness on, slow to maneuvering speed and NOT make sudden or abrupt control movements while flying through a larger culmulus cloud.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Apr 24, 2015

    The short answer is because towering cumulus isn’t cumulonimbus. Yet.

    No one is suggesting it’s OK to fly into towering cumulus and take the incredible updrafts and turbulence in the hope that it won’t mature into a full CB and also attempt to throw you to the ground. Just that towering CU is at a marginally less danger level.

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