supercell

views updated

supercell A very large convection cell that forms within a cumulonimbus by the merging of several smaller convective cells. Inside the supercell air may rise at 45 m/s and the cell may extend to a height of more than 16km, breaking through the tropopause. Supercells last much longer than ordinary convective storm cells, producing extremely violent storms, and they can trigger tornadoes. See also MESOCYCLONE.