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

See Examples For:

supercell

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

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

This was a supercell, the nasty type of storm that brews the deadliest tornado and most damaging hail in the United States, said University of Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Walker Ashley.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 25, 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