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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-thunderstorm-mature-stage

What marks the start of a thunderstorm's mature stage?

Precipitation reaching the surface.

  1. The anvil top forming
  2. Continuous downdrafts through the cloud
  3. Precipitation reaching the surface ✔

Why: In the first stage, strong updrafts build the cloud. When rain reaches the ground, it drags air down, making downdrafts beside the updrafts. Hazards peak toward the end of the mature stage.

Huh, didn't know that: Updrafts in the towering cumulus stage can exceed 3,000 feet per minute.

The dad joke
Why did the cloud stay home from school? It was feeling under the weather.
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Sources

  1. FAA Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B), Chapter 22 https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/FAA-H-8083-28B.pdf
  2. FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) sample questions https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/test_questions/par_questions.pdf

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