Wall cloud

A wall cloud (murus or pedestal cloud) is a large, localized, persistent, and often abrupt lowering of cloud that develops beneath the surrounding base of a cumulonimbus cloud and from which tornadoes sometimes form. It is typically beneath the rain-free base (RFB) portion of a thunderstorm, and indicates the area of the strongest updraft within a storm. Rotating wall clouds are an indication of a mesocyclone in a thunderstorm; most strong tornadoes form from these. Many wall clouds do rotate; however, some do not.

Wall cloud (Murus)
A wall cloud seen from Pikes Peak, Colorado on July 20, 2023.
AbbreviationCb mur.
Symbol
GenusCumulonimbus (heap, rain)
Species
  • Calvus
  • Capillatus
VarietyNone
Altitude500-16,000 m
(2,000-52,000 ft)
ClassificationFamily C (Low-level)
AppearanceA dark cloud feature that protrudes from the base of a cumulonimbus more popularly known as a wall cloud.
PrecipitationVery common nearby, but not under : Rain, Snow, Snow pellets or Hail, heavy at times
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