Atmospheric PhenomenaThunder and Thunderstorms |
Are there other ways that thunderstorms can be described? |
Classifying thunderstorms can be a rather subjective practice, but meteorologists do give different types of storms other names based on how they are formed, including:
Mesoscale convective systems—a large, non-frontal thunderstorm. This classification includes mesoscale convective complexes, which are enormous storm systems that can cover several U.S. states at once and last for half a day or more.
Air mass thunderstorm—a common, short-lived, relatively unorganized, and fairly small storm.
Sea breeze thunderstorm—cold-frontal storms that form as wind blows in toward the coastline.
At this National Severe Storms Laboratory research station, a variety of equipment seen here is used to conduct lightning strike studies. (NOAA Photo Library, NOAA Central Library; OAR/ER/National Severe Storms Laboratory)