## What Would Happen if You Skydive Through a Cumulonimbus Cloud?
Cumulonimbus clouds, commonly known as thunderclouds, are towering vertical clouds associated with thunderstorms and other severe weather. They are characterized by their anvil-shaped tops and can extend to heights of over 10 miles (16 kilometers). Skydiving through a cumulonimbus cloud is an extremely dangerous undertaking, but what exactly would happen if you were to attempt it?
1. Extreme turbulence and wind gusts: Cumulonimbus clouds are notorious for their extreme turbulence and wind gusts. These winds can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour), and they can cause severe injury or death to skydivers.
2. Hail and lightning: Cumulonimbus clouds can produce hail and lightning. Hailstones can range in size from small peas to large golf balls, and they can cause serious injury or death if they hit you. Lightning is also a major hazard in cumulonimbus clouds, and it can strike you directly or through the ground.
3. Reduced visibility: Cumulonimbus clouds can be very dense, and they can significantly reduce visibility. This can make it difficult to navigate and avoid other obstacles, such as other skydivers or aircraft.
4. Hypoxia: Cumulonimbus clouds can reach high altitudes, and the air at these altitudes is thin. This can lead to hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen, which can cause dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
5. Hypothermia: Cumulonimbus clouds can also be very cold, and the wind gusts can make it feel even colder. This can lead to hypothermia, or a dangerously low body temperature, which can cause shivering, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
6. Death: Skydiving through a cumulonimbus cloud is a very dangerous undertaking, and it can result in death. Even if you are able to survive the extreme turbulence, wind gusts, hail, lightning, reduced visibility, hypoxia, and hypothermia, you still have to worry about landing safely. The ground beneath a cumulonimbus cloud is often covered in trees, power lines, and other obstacles, and it can be difficult to find a safe landing spot.
Conclusion
Skydiving through a cumulonimbus cloud is an extremely dangerous undertaking, and it is not recommended for anyone. Even if you are an experienced skydiver, it is important to be aware of the risks involved and to take all necessary precautions to stay safe.