supercell

American  

[soo-per-sel] / ˈsu pərˌsɛl /

noun

Meteorology.

1. a highly organized thunderstorm that can last for several hours, capable of producing both updrafts and downdrafts exceeding 100 miles per hour, large hailstones, tornadoes, and flash flooding (often used attributively).

   a supercell in Kansas City;

   supercell storms.

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Etymology

Origin of supercell

First recorded in 1960–65; super- ( def. ) + cell ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Met Office described the Channel Islands as having endured "supercell thunderstorms", where locals faced frequent lightning, large hailstones and a possible hurricane.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2023

But in Fort Lauderdale the supercell was in a lull between opposing weather systems, Carbin said.

From Washington Times • Apr. 14, 2023

Researchers at Northern Illinois University looked at data from the past 15 years, which compared different types of supercell storms.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2023

That includes Rolling Fork, where study authors project an increase of one supercell a year by the year 2100.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

Saturday’s supercell in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties dropped an EF1 tornado that uprooted oak and pine trees and toppled power poles.

From Washington Post • Mar. 13, 2023