storm cell

American  

noun

1. an air mass formed by powerful updrafts and downdrafts moving in convective loops, the smallest unit of a storm system.

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storm cell Scientific  

1. An air mass that contains up and down drafts in convective loops, moves and reacts as a single entity, and functions as the smallest unit of a storm-producing system.

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Example Sentences

This could happen if an enhanced storm cell — such as a thunderstorm — happens to go directly over a burn scar.

From Los Angeles Times

If significant debris flow does happen, it would be the result of a stray intense storm cell materializing directly over a burn scar.

From Los Angeles Times

A dust devil is a bit like a miniature storm cell.

From Washington Post

The flash and bang was an unexpected “one-hit wonder” that came from a small storm cell, meteorologist Tyler Kranz said.

From Seattle Times

Surrounded by a little storm cell of gesturing hands, they have a fluttering, responsive quality that speaks to all the bubbles of intimate rapport that form and re-form within large and happy families, which — despite what Tolstoy wrote — are not actually all alike, are they?

From Washington Post