During the life cycle of a thunderstorm, which stage is characterized predominantly by downdrafts?

• A. Dissipating
• B. Cumulus
• C. Mature
• D. Storm forming

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the thunderstorm’s energy and airflow balance shift as it develops. Downdrafts dominate in the dissipating stage because the updrafts that fueled the storm weaken as the supply of warm, moist air from below runs out. With weaker updrafts, precipitation loading and evaporative cooling create negative buoyancy, so air starts sinking more than it rises. The storm then loses its vertical growth and gradually fades. In the mature stage, strong updrafts and downdrafts coexist, driving heavy rain and ongoing storm structure, while the cumulus stage is driven mainly by updrafts with little actual precipitation. “Storm forming” isn’t a standard stage.