Thunderstorm and Supercell
Spectacular thunderstorm and supercell clouds observed during VORTEX2. Enid, Oklahoma, May 15, 2009. A supercell is a thunderstorm that is characterized by the presence of a mesocyclone: a deep, continuously-rotating updraft. For this reason, these storms are sometimes referred to as rotating thunderstorms. Of the four classifications of thunderstorms (supercell, squall line, multi-cell, and single-cell), supercells are the overall least common and have the potential to be the most severe. Supercells are often isolated from other thunderstorms, and can dominate the local climate up to 32 kilometres (20 mi) away. Supercells can occur anywhere in the world under the right pre-existing weather conditions, but they are most common in the Great Plains of the United States.
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Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 2, 2009, america, american, atmospheric, chasers, common, conditions, enid, event, great, ii, intense, isolated, laboratory, mesocyclone, meteorological, meteorology, national, natural, nssl, oklahoma, phemomena, phenomenon, plains, rotating, science, severe, states, storm, storms, strong, supercell, thunderstorm, united, updraft, usa, violent, vortex, vortex2, vortexii, weather
