Understanding the Four Primary Types of Thunderstorms

Much of the central and eastern U.S. is in the crosshairs of more severe weather this week. Some communities in this region were also hammered by deadly storms over the weekend, compounding the misery unloaded by Mother Nature. Residents will not have much time to catch their breaths before the next round erupts.

While you cannot control when and where storms ignite, you can increase your chances of coming out of a severe weather event unscathed if you are informed about the different types of thunderstorms and how to protect yourself. Here are four of the primary types of storms that you need to be aware of heading into the busy spring season.

Supercells

Most people have heard of the supercell thunderstorm. These specific types of storms are the most connected with severe weather, infamous for producing strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes.

Supercell thunderstorms can linger over an area for several hours and move across hundreds of miles. The sheer size of these cells translates to the ability to generate significant amounts of damage. These types of storms are typically easily recognized on radar. The hook echo often appears on the southwestern quadrant of the storm, demonstrative of where a tornado could be coming to life. The storm's main activity of hail, heavy rain, and strong winds usually circulate to the north and northeast of the hook.

What makes tornadoes the most dangerous is their tendency to produce large tornadoes. The specific atmospheric conditions within a cell are able to fuel the development of twisters.

Supercell storms are most likely to develop in situations with an abundance of wind shear. The natural changes in wind speeds and direction pair with the height in the atmosphere to allow the storm to grow and intensify for an extended time period.

Squall Lines