Back to forecast
Types of Thunderstorms
March 6, 2023 at 06:42 AM EST
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Christian Sayles
Mother Nature can brew up four different types of thunderstorms when the atmosphere is ripe for storm development.
Thunderstorm development takes place when the air at the surface is lifted by some sort of forcing mechanism such as a cold front. When the cooler air forces the warm air upwards, this allows the warm air to become unstable as it expands above the surface. As this expansion takes place, the risen air begins to cool and in a flash a thunderstorm is born. However, not all thunderstorms take the same shape.
The first of the four thunderstorm types is an ordinary cell or pulse thunderstorm. These storms are considered short-lived and are typically non-severe on their own but can still pack a punch in a moment’s notice. Air rising, also known as an updraft, creates this type of storm which is quickly followed by a downdraft of rain signaling its demise. The rain falling from this cell will rapidly cool the environment surrounding it which in turn lessens the instability or fuel to maintain the storm.
The next type is multi-cellular thunderstorms, and these storms tend to be the more predominant of the bunch. On a hot and humid summer day, the atmosphere becomes ripe for thunderstorm development. Instead of just one single-cell storm, multiple cells or clusters will form within the vicinity of each other. In this variety, a multi-cell storm is a group of individual cells that feed off the energy output of each other. Multiple cumulus clouds will form and grow until they reach the mature stage of their life cycle. As these storms mature, a series of downpours can result in flash flooding before they fizzle out.
Another variety of thunderstorms are those that form in a complete and/or a broken line, also known as squall line thunderstorms. These storms can stretch from north to south for miles ahead of a cold front that’s slicing through a highly unstable environment. The creation of squall line thunderstorms is the same as multi-cell thunderstorms, but they thrive on frontal lifting which can carry them for hours on end. Strong wind gusts and hail are typical of these storms.
For the last but certainly not least type: supercell thunderstorms. This type of storm is technically a single-cell thunderstorm that can survive for hours. They are highly organized storms which can produce devastating hail (larger than golf balls), extreme wind gusts, torrential rainfall and violent tornadoes. The constant change of wind speed and direction as you increase in height, also known as wind shear, helps fuel this unique kind of thunderstorm. Wind shear aids in producing a rotational effect on the whole storm itself which can produce a visible cloud that extends below the cell and just above the surface. This visible, rotating cloud is known as a wall cloud and if you see this feature, it’s normally a sign that a tornado could form underneath it.
No matter the type, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous and should be treated with caution. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”
Image provided by Pixabay.com
Thunderstorm development takes place when the air at the surface is lifted by some sort of forcing mechanism such as a cold front. When the cooler air forces the warm air upwards, this allows the warm air to become unstable as it expands above the surface. As this expansion takes place, the risen air begins to cool and in a flash a thunderstorm is born. However, not all thunderstorms take the same shape.
The first of the four thunderstorm types is an ordinary cell or pulse thunderstorm. These storms are considered short-lived and are typically non-severe on their own but can still pack a punch in a moment’s notice. Air rising, also known as an updraft, creates this type of storm which is quickly followed by a downdraft of rain signaling its demise. The rain falling from this cell will rapidly cool the environment surrounding it which in turn lessens the instability or fuel to maintain the storm.
The next type is multi-cellular thunderstorms, and these storms tend to be the more predominant of the bunch. On a hot and humid summer day, the atmosphere becomes ripe for thunderstorm development. Instead of just one single-cell storm, multiple cells or clusters will form within the vicinity of each other. In this variety, a multi-cell storm is a group of individual cells that feed off the energy output of each other. Multiple cumulus clouds will form and grow until they reach the mature stage of their life cycle. As these storms mature, a series of downpours can result in flash flooding before they fizzle out.
Another variety of thunderstorms are those that form in a complete and/or a broken line, also known as squall line thunderstorms. These storms can stretch from north to south for miles ahead of a cold front that’s slicing through a highly unstable environment. The creation of squall line thunderstorms is the same as multi-cell thunderstorms, but they thrive on frontal lifting which can carry them for hours on end. Strong wind gusts and hail are typical of these storms.
For the last but certainly not least type: supercell thunderstorms. This type of storm is technically a single-cell thunderstorm that can survive for hours. They are highly organized storms which can produce devastating hail (larger than golf balls), extreme wind gusts, torrential rainfall and violent tornadoes. The constant change of wind speed and direction as you increase in height, also known as wind shear, helps fuel this unique kind of thunderstorm. Wind shear aids in producing a rotational effect on the whole storm itself which can produce a visible cloud that extends below the cell and just above the surface. This visible, rotating cloud is known as a wall cloud and if you see this feature, it’s normally a sign that a tornado could form underneath it.
No matter the type, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous and should be treated with caution. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”
Image provided by Pixabay.com