The Basics of Thunderstorms

Ingredients to Form a Thunderstorm

1. Sufficient Water Vapor - Can be measured through dewpoint

2. Unstable Air - Warm, moist air underneath cold, dry air

3. Lifting Action - Converging winds around surface lows and

   troughs, fronts, upslope flow, drylines, outflow boundaries generated by prior storms, and

   local winds, such as sea breeze, lake breeze, land breeze, and valley breeze circulations

Types of Thunderstorms

1. Single Cell

2. Multi Cell (almost all thunderstorms are Multi Cell)

3. Super Cell

Each type of thunderstorm should be taken seriously, regardless of size or number of cells.

Phases of a Thunderstorm

1. Towering Cumulus - Strong convective updrafts

2. Mature - Precipitation reaches the surface

3. Dissipating - Strong downdrafts

Hazards

1. Lightning

2. Adverse Wind

3. Downburst

4. Turbulence

5. Icing

6. Hail

7. Rapid Altimeter Changes

8. Static Electricity

9. Tornado

For more information visit the FAA Weather Advisory Circular AC 00-6B!