Author Question: Explain why ordinary cell thunderstorms tend to dissipate much sooner than multicell storms. What ... (Read 167 times)

jc611 · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Explain why ordinary cell thunderstorms tend to dissipate much sooner than multicell storms.
What will be the ideal response?

Question 2

What atmospheric conditions are necessary for a multicell thunderstorm to form?
What will be the ideal response?

meganmoser117 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Unlike the ordinary thunderstorm which weakens once it enters the dissipation stage, the supercell storm is an enormous rotating thunderstorm whose updrafts and downdrafts are sufficiently structured so that the storm is able to maintain itself as a single entity for hours on end. Storms of this type are capable of producing updrafts that can exceed 90 knots, hail the size of grapefruit, damaging surface winds, and large, long-lasting tornadoes. Normally, precipitation does not form in the region of the strong updraft. If precipitation does form, it may be swept laterally out of the region by the rapidly rotating air.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: The cold downdraft of mature and dissipating thunderstorms, upon reaching the surface, may force warm, moist surface air upward along its advancing edge. This rising air then condenses and gradually builds into a new thunderstorm. This process may repeat over and over as old cells die out and new ones form. Thus, it is entirely possible for a series of thunderstorms to grow in a line, one next to the other, each in a different stage of development. Thunderstorms that form in this manner are termed multicell storms. Most ordinary thunderstorms are multicell storms, as are many severe thunderstorms.