What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?

The three stages of a thunderstorm are cumulus, mature, and dissipating. During the cumulus stage, warm, moist air rises and begins to cool, forming cumulus clouds. As the process continues, the cloud grows larger and more organized, eventually reaching the mature stage. In this stage, the thunderstorm releases energy through the processes of condensation and the development of strong updrafts and downdrafts. This stage is marked by significant precipitation, thunder, and possibly severe weather phenomena such as hail or tornadoes.

Following the mature stage, the thunderstorm enters the dissipating stage. During this final phase, the downdrafts begin to dominate, and the storm loses its supply of warm, moist air. As a result, the thunderstorm weakens and eventually dissipates. This progression is essential for understanding thunderstorm behavior in aviation as it helps pilots anticipate weather conditions during flight operations.