Types of Thunderstorms=
Not all thunderstorms=
can be
classified neatly into one of these types.=
This listing is ordered from most common and least severe to least
common and most severe.
n Single Cell (Sometimes
called Air Mass Thunderstorms)
n Scattered, late aftern=
oon,
summertime storms
n Size: typically less than a couple of mi=
les
across
n Short lasting, typical=
ly 1
hour or less
n M=
ulticell Cluster Storms
n Group of cells moving =
as a
single unit with each cell in a different stage of thunderstorm development=
n Since new cells develo=
p as
older ones die, multicell cluster storms can la=
st for
several hours
n M=
ulticell lines (Often called S=
quall
lines)
n Line of storms (compos=
ed of
many individual cells) that move together as the line moves
n Often (but not always)
associated with cold fronts
n Lines may be 500 or mo=
re
miles long
n Lines may last for sev=
eral
hours and move hundreds of miles
n M=
esoscale Convective Complexes =
(MCCs)
n Cluster of many intera=
cting
storm cells, which act as an organized unit
n Often the cluster take=
s on a
huge circular or oval shape
n Can be as large as ent=
ire
states, such as
n Can live for 6 hours o=
r more
(sometimes all night long)
n S=
upercells
n Single, large storm,
characterized by deep, rotating updrafts.
n 10 – 30 miles ac=
ross
n Most strong tornadoes =
are
associated with supercells
n Last for hours
More
information and pictures of thunderstorms and severe weather can be found a=
t http://=
ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/svr/home.rxml