What is a mature stage of a thunderstorm?
The thunderstorm enters the mature stage when the updraft continues to feed the storm, but precipitation begins to fall out of the storm, creating a downdraft (a column of air pushing downward). When the downdraft and rain-cooled air spreads out along the ground it forms a gust front, or a line of gusty winds.
What is the final stage of a thunderstorm called?
The Dissipating Stage This is the end of a thunderstorm, at this point, due to a lack of warm rising air, moisture is gone and the storm mostly consists of downdrafts. These downdrafts are signs that the storm is dying out.
What is the most active stage of a thunderstorm?
mature stage
With gusty winds, lightning, heavy precipitation, and sometimes hail, the mature stage is the most active period of a thunderstorm. Marking the end of the storm, the dissipating stage is dominated by downdrafts and entrainment.
How long does the mature stage of a thunderstorm last?
The whole process takes about one hour for an ordinary thunderstorm. Severe thunderstorms like supercells and squall lines are much larger, more powerful, and last for several hours.
What causes thunderstorms to die?
When the downdrafts in the cloud become stronger than the updraft, the storm starts to weaken. Since warm moist air can no longer rise, cloud droplets can no longer form. The storm dies out with light rain as the cloud disappears from bottom to top.
What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?
Discussion: There are three stages of a thunderstorm: the cumulus stage, the mature cumulus stage, and the dissipating stage. Each stage are defined by certain characteristics and are outlined below. Air that is warmer than its environment will start to rise by convection during this stage.
How are thunderstorms formed in the real world?
How Do Thunderstorms Form? 1 1. The Towering Cumulus Stage. The initial stage of thunderstorm development is dominated by the presence of updrafts. These grow the cloud from a 2 2. The Mature Stage. 3 3. The Dissipating Stage.
What happens during the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?
Cumulus stage of a thunderstorm When the weather is hot, moist air flows upward in an updraft, windy cumulus clouds can appear in the atmosphere. The moisture in the air decreases into water droplets as it rises. The cloud will proceed to expand as long as hot air from below extends to grow.
When does a thunderstorm start to lose its power?
Dissipating stage of a thunderstorm When the downdrafts in the cloud grow more powerful than the updraft, the thunderstorm starts to lose its power. As warm moist air can no further arise, cloud droplets can no longer live. The wind fades out with slight rain as the cloud passes from bottom to top.