A319
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 201; Flight Crew Total 9770; Flight Crew Type 9253
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather
The seatbelt sign was turned on due to light chop in cruise at FL300. 10 minutes later; I instructed the flight attendants on the interphone to take their jump seats due to the continuing; and increasing light turbulence; and told them they would probably need to remain seated for the duration of the flight due to the weather that was quickly approaching the destination airport. The weather radar was on; tilt at 1.5 degrees down with the closest storm returns to the southeast at approximately 40 miles; and scattered light returns within 10 miles to the southeast. We were still at cruise altitude of FL300 in IMC conditions; and we were deviating west of course to maintain separation from the weather. [Later]; we unexpectedly encountered severe turbulence with sudden onset. We experienced a 2000+ fpm rate of descent; losing 600 feet of altitude before the Pilot Flying was able to recover and climb the aircraft back to FL300. I immediately notified ATC of the severe turbulence (which seemed to last about 30 seconds; but was probably shorter in duration) and uncommanded descent and excessive descent rate. ATC inquired if we needed assistance; which I declined. I called the seated flight attendants on the interphone to inquire if there were any injuries or aircraft damage noted; and they replied that everyone was okay in the cabin and no damage was noted. I also notified Dispatch immediately after receiving the report from the flight attendants. We continued on to destination and made an uneventful landing. I then sent a code to maintenance to report the severe turbulence encounter. After exiting the aircraft; the [Flight Manager] called and I discussed the incident with him; and then I called Dispatch to further discuss the incident.
A319 Captain reported encountered severe turbulence enroute at cruise altitude.