Defining a Severe Thunderstorm

Have you ever noticed how some storms are soothing and relaxing? Meanwhile, others make you jump out of your seat with loud cracks of thunder and illuminating flashes of lightning. 

The soothing storms were probably regular, or single-cell, storms. The louder, more alarming features were probably that of a severe thunderstorm. Let’s break it all down. 

What Does a Severe Thunderstorm Mean?

Not all thunderstorms are created equal. The amount and duration of the rain separates each storm into its own category. Meanwhile, lightning, hail, and tornadoes are usually indicators of a severe thunderstorm. 

We’ll start with the anatomy of a storm, move into the two main types, and then end with a closer look at the elements that make up each system.