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What air motion marks a dissipating thunderstorm?

Downdrafts only, which cut off the storm's warm-air supply.

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  1. Updrafts only
  2. Updrafts and downdrafts
  3. Downdrafts only ✔

Why: A mature storm has both rising and sinking currents. In the dissipating stage, sinking air takes over and the storm loses its fuel.

Huh, didn't know that: Thunderstorms have three stages: building, mature, and dissipating.

The dad joke
The fading storm was feeling down, draft by draft.
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References

Answer: Downdrafts only. A mature storm has both rising and sinking currents. In the dissipating stage, sinking air takes over and the storm loses its fuel.

  1. Aerospace Dimensions Module 3, Air Environment akwg.cap.gov/media/cms/Module_3__Air_Environment_D8702BF7F9162_21bba.pdf
    The last stage has downdrafts only and this is called the dissipating stage.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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