Supercell

Supercellular storms are considered the largest isolated storms, having dimensions equivalent to the largest multicellular storms and can reach altitudes of up to 20 km, surpassing the tropopause. Although rarer, they are more violent.

They generally last from 2 to 6 hours and are basically a giant cell storm characterized by a strong upward airflow (with speeds in some cases greater than 150 km / h) combined with intense spinning motion.

Its existence is related to vertical wind variations, known as vertical wind shear, and atmospheric instability. In general, supercells are associated with winds with strong vertical gradients both in intensity and direction. They are often classified as severe storms, accounting for most major tornadoes and hail. However, not every supercellular storm produces tornadoes.

Supercellular storms are more electrically active than single cell or multicell storms. There are several factors that influence the severity of a supercellular storm. The main factors are the intensity of the rising air currents and the speed of the horizontal winds at the upper levels.

Isolated Cell Multicell Cumulonimbus cloud formation