A supercell is a thunderstorm characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone, a deep, persistently rotating updraft. [1] Due to this, these storms are sometimes referred to as rotating thunderstorms. [2]

On the thunderstorm spectrum, supercells are the least common type of thunderstorm, but they have a high propensity to produce severe weather, including damaging winds, very large hail, and …

What is a supercell? A supercell is an often-dangerous thunderstorm with a very organized internal structure including a rotating updraft that allows it to keep going for up to several hours. Supercells …

Nov 26, 2025 · When environmental winds are favourable, the updraft and downdraft of a storm become organized and twist around and reinforce each other. The result is a long-lived supercell storm. …

May 2, 2025 · Supercells are responsible for spawning most tornadoes – violent ones in particular. But, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) as few as 20% of all supercell...

Aug 9, 2024 · Supercells are thunderstorms with rotating updrafts. They gain this rotation due to wind shear, or winds changing speed and direction with height. Wind shear that's just right can cause a...

As high pressure builds on upwind end of storm, air begins to sink forming RFD on back side of supercell. Drier air entrained from behind storm can increase negative buoyancy.

Aug 30, 2025 · Unlike a typical thunderstorm, a supercell has a deep, rotating column of air inside it known as a mesocyclone. This spinning updraft is what gives them their unique strength and staying …

A supercell is a long-lived (greater than 1 hour) and highly organized storm feeding off an updraft (a rising current of air) that is tilted and rotating. This rotating updraft - as large as 10 miles in diameter …

May 6, 2024 · Here's what to know about this dangerous type of thunderstorm. The term supercell is used by meteorologists to describe a breed of long-lasting thunderstorms that rotate and are …