B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 116
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather
On a flight from ZZZ- ZZZ1; due to turbulence reports; we had initially planned on flying the first 30 minutes in the mid-teens. After hearing several traffic reports and asking ATC about ride reports; we decided to climb to an altitude of 37;000 feet. (ATC reported light to moderate chop through FL260 and better above.) Passing through 19;000 feet; we encountered severe turbulence. The autopilot disengaged and the aircraft rapidly accelerated from 300 knots to 320 knots while climbing at well over 5000 fpm. The aircraft was shaking; rolling and at times; momentarily non-responsive. Passing through FL260; we exited the turbulence and resumed a normal flight path. (I do not believe that we ever exceeded any aircraft limitations or ATC clearance). After verifying that the aircraft was performing properly and that there were no injuries onboard; we contacted Dispatch and decided to continue to ZZZ1. We landed in ZZZ1 without further incident.
B737 Captain reported severe turbulence during climb to smooth altitude.