Single Cell Storms

Decorative Image: Single cell storms contain one updraft.

• Average life span 20-30 minutes

• Usually not strong enough to produce severe weather, but a few may produce brief severe hail, heavy rains, and severe winds

• All thunderstorms, by definition, produce lightning

Speaker Notes:

• Single cell storms contain one updraft. Once the single cell storm reaches the mature stage, the downdraft spreads out and cuts off the updraft, resulting in the storm dissipating. This entire process on average lasts 20-45 minutes.

• While severe weather is rare with single cell storms that can produce severe hail, winds, and isolated flash flooding. However, by definition, all thunderstorms produce lightning, which is the number two storm related killer across the United States. The next slide discusses lightning safety.