Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Initiation
Development
Maturity
LINEAR CONVECTIVE
SYSTEMS
OCCLUDING CONVECTIVE
SYSTEMS
CHAOTIC CONVECTIVE
SYSTEMS
Figure 9.29
Schematic evolution of three convective modes on the US Great Plains showing several
scales of cloud development (shading).
Source: Blanchard (1990, p. 996, Fig.2). Courtesy American Meteorological Society.
which, in turn, was capped by cold air associated
with a nearby cold front. Five to seven such severe
thunderstorms occurred annually in the vicinity
of Sydney during 1950-1989.
On occasion, so-called
supercell thunderstorms
may develop as new cells, forming downstream,
are swept up by the movement of an older cell.
These are about the same size as thunder cell
clusters but are dominated by one giant updraft
and localized strong downdrafts
Figure 9.31
).
They may give rise to large hailstones and
tornadoes, although some give only moderate
