supercell

[ soo-per-sel ]

/ ˈsu pərˌsɛl /

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noun Meteorology.

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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of supercell

First recorded in 1960–65; super- + cell

Words nearby supercell

supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, supercapital, supercar, supercargo, supercede, supercell, supercentenarian, supercharge, supercharged, supercharger, superchurch

How to use supercell in a sentence

Such tremendously high values almost always indicate large hail, in the context of a supercell.
Tornado hit Columbia Thursday, while straight-line winds slammed Fredericksburg|Jeffrey Halverson, Jason Samenow|July 30, 2021|Washington Post
These factors favor clusters or arc-shaped complexes of strong to severe thunderstorms, and possibly a few supercells or rotating thunderstorms.
After producing several tornado warnings and funnel clouds, storms exiting region|Jason Samenow, Jeffrey Halverson|July 29, 2021|Washington Post
They sounded as a long-track supercell or rotating thunderstorm dropped tornadoes while leaving behind several pockets of damage.
How a tornadic storm tore through West Virginia and parts of northern Maryland Monday|Jeffrey Halverson, Jason Samenow|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
Severe weather in the Upper Midwest caused a few spectacular looking supercells to form Wednesday.
PM Update: Record warmth of today tapers somewhat Friday|Ian Livingston|March 11, 2021|Washington Post

Unlike the better-known rotating supercells, however, derechos form from long bands of swiftly moving thunderstorms, sometimes called squall lines.
What’s behind August 2020’s extreme weather? Climate change and bad luck|Carolyn Gramling|August 27, 2020|Science News