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Overshooting top

Overshooting tops develop on thunderstorms that have particularly strong updrafts.

Overshooting tops typically develop on Cumulonimbus capillatus incus clouds. The updraft punches through the equilibrium level (and thus the anvil), rising higher due to its momentum, despite not being buoyant anymore. An overshooting top is usually short-lived, several tens of seconds, up to several minutes. In rare cases, it may persist much longer.

overshooting-top-sunset-italy

 

An Overshooting top on a severe thunderstorm near Ancona, north-central Italy, on June 26, 2016. Note the massive updraft! Photo by Marko Korošec
 

 

An overshooting top, particularly a persistent one, indicates a potentially severe thunderstorm.

An overshooting top is difficult and can only be seen on distant thunderstorms. It is also readily apparent in satellite imagery, particularly at low Sun angles (i.e., morning and, more often, late afternoon).

overshooting-top-slovenia

 

An Overshooting top on a severe thunderstorm over central Slovenia on June 28th, 2008. Also, note the pileus/velum clouds on the updraft in the foreground. Photo by Marko Korošec
 

 

SEE ALSO:

Mammatus clouds