single-cell and multicell thunderstorms

Question 1

cumulus congestus

Answer 1

• dominated by updrafts
  reaches a height of 1.5 times the cloud base, but then is dissipates due to

Question 2

cumulus stage

Answer 2

-after cumulus congestus dissipates, the air is moist and if updraft persists, new cumulus clouds form
- cumulus will grow if wind-shear is weak

Question 3

Mature stage

Answer 3

Updraft persists but downdraft forms as a result of drag due to rain, ice etc.
- main feature of this stage: existence of updraft and downdraft and precipitation
- weak wind shear causes anvil to form at tropopause

Question 4

Dissipation stage

Answer 4

• loss of positive buoyancy and moist updraft
  1. storm moves over region where convection is not pronounced
  2. downdraft cuts off updraft
  3. interaction bw updraft and downdraft diminishes updraft

Question 5

Cell motion vs storm propagation

Answer 5

• cell motion: cells are carried along by the mean winds in the layer containing the storm

cell propagation: due to new updrafts being triggered by a gust front moving with a velocity different from the velocity of the storm
- winds flowing through the cell as opposed to the cell moving with the winds
- new cells form where the warm and moist air is rising