What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?

The three stages of a thunderstorm are accurately identified as the cumulus, mature, and dissipating stages. Each of these stages represents a key phase in the lifecycle of a thunderstorm, reflecting its development and intensity.

In the cumulus stage, warm, moist air rises and cools, leading to the formation of cumulus clouds. This stage is characterized by the initial development of convection. As the updraft continues, water vapor condenses into droplets, causing the clouds to grow larger.

The mature stage is when the thunderstorm reaches its peak intensity. This phase is marked by the presence of both updrafts and downdrafts within the storm, resulting in significant precipitation, thunder, and lightning. It is during this stage that the storm can produce severe weather conditions, such as hail or strong winds.

Finally, in the dissipating stage, the storm begins to lose its energy as the downdrafts outnumber the updrafts. Precipitation decreases, the cloud structure breaks apart, and the storm eventually dissipates.

This clear demarcation of stages helps meteorologists understand storm behavior and predict potential hazards. The other options describe variations of storm phases but do not accurately represent the widely accepted classification used in meteorology.