Towering cumulus clouds can be based in the low or middle height ranges and achieve considerable vertical development (family D2) in areas of deep, moist convection

Convection

Convection is the movement of molecules within fluids and rheids. It cannot take place in solids, since neither bulk current flows nor significant diffusion can take place in solids....

. They are an intermediate stage between cumulus mediocris and cumulonimbus. There are several subtypes of this kind of cloud.

For specific information on this type of cloud, see:

Cumulus congestus

Cumulus castellanus (from Latin castellanus, castle) is a type of cumulus cloud

Cumulus cloud

Cumulus clouds are a type of cloud with noticeable vertical development and clearly defined edges. Cumulus means "heap" or "pile" in Latin. They are often described as "puffy" or "cotton-like" in appearance. Cumulus clouds may appear alone, in lines, or in clusters...

 that is distinctive because it displays multiple towers arising from its top, indicating significant vertical air movement. They are so named because they somewhat resemble the crenellation on medieval castle

Castle

A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...

s. Cumulus castellanus clouds are associated with the formation of towering cumulus or cumulonimbus

Cumulonimbus cloud

Cumulonimbus is a towering vertical cloud that is very tall, dense, and involved in thunderstorms and other inclement weather. Cumulonimbus originates from Latin: Cumulus "Heap" and nimbus "rain". It is a result of atmospheric instability. These clouds can form alone, in clusters, or along a cold...

 clouds, and correspondingly can be an indicator of forthcoming showers and thunderstorms. The World Meteorological Organization does not recognize Cumulus castellanus as a distinct species, but instead classifies all towering cumulus clouds as Cumulus congestus.

Turkey tower

Turkey tower is slang

Slang

Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...

 for a narrow, individual towering cloud from a small Cumulus

Cumulus cloud

Cumulus clouds are a type of cloud with noticeable vertical development and clearly defined edges. Cumulus means "heap" or "pile" in Latin. They are often described as "puffy" or "cotton-like" in appearance. Cumulus clouds may appear alone, in lines, or in clusters...

 cloud which develops and suddenly falls apart. Sudden development of turkey towers could signify the breaking or weakening of a capping inversion

Capping inversion

A capping inversion is an elevated inversion layer that caps a convective boundary layer.The boundary layer is the part of the atmosphere which is closest to the ground. Normally, the sun heats the ground, which in turn heats the air just above it. Thermals form when this warm air rises into the...

.

See also

• Altocumulus castellanus cloud
  Altocumulus castellanus cloud
  Altocumulus Castellanus is named for its tower-like projections that billow upwards from the base of the cloud. The base of the cloud can form as low as 2,000 metres , or as high as 6,000 metres ....
  
  
• Cumulus mediocris cloud
  Cumulus mediocris cloud
  Cumulus mediocris is a low to middle level cloud with some vertical extent of the genus cumulus, larger in vertical development than Cumulus humilis. It may or may not show the cauliflower form characteristic of cumulus clouds...
  
  
• Turkey tower
• Cumulonimbus