What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?

The three stages of a thunderstorm are commonly described as cumulus, mature, and dissipating.

During the cumulus stage, warm air rises and cools, forming cumulus clouds as water vapor condenses into droplets. As this process continues, the cloud begins to grow taller and can develop into a thunderstorm if conditions are right.

In the mature stage, the thunderstorm is at its most intense. It features strong updrafts and downdrafts, producing heavy rainfall, thunder, lightning, and potentially severe weather phenomena such as hail or tornadoes. This stage is characterized by instability within the storm as the air masses interact.

The dissipating stage occurs as the storm begins to lose energy and intensity. The downdrafts dominate the updrafts, leading to a decrease in precipitation and cloud structure. In this final stage, the storm gradually weakens and may eventually dissipate completely.

This progression is crucial for understanding the life cycle of thunderstorms and how they can impact weather conditions.