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Stormscope
®
WX-1000 Pilot’s Guide
2-3
Chapter 2 – Storm Mapping Principles
tive wind shear turbulence present. In fact, as convective wind
shear increases, the rate of electrical discharges increases at an
increasing rate. This relationship means that if you find the
electrical discharges, you’ve found the wind shear.
Stages of a Thunderstorm
All thunderstorms begin as cumulus clouds, build to an
intense mature stage, and finally dissipate. Each of these
stages in the life of a thunderstorm present a different set of
dangers to aircraft. The
WX-1000
maps all stages in the life
of a thunderstorm so that you won’t be caught unaware by a
thunderstorm that can build, mature, and dissipate in as
little as
20
minutes.
Cumulus Stage
The cumulus or beginning stage of a thunderstorm is usually
precipitation free. In this stage, the risks to an aircraft and
its occupants include strong vertical winds, severe turbu-
lence, icing, and convective wind shear.
Mature Stage
In the mature and most intense stage of a thunderstorm, the
water droplets within the cloud collide and combine to form
rain and hail and, at cooler temperatures, sleet and snow. This
stage poses many hazards to aircraft including heavy precipita-
tion, high winds, convective wind shear, severe turbulence,
downbursts, hail, icing, tornadoes, and lightning.
Dissipating Stage
In the dissipating stage, the updraft weakens and at the same
time, the convective wind shear and other hazardous condi-
tions begin to subside. There may be high rainfall rates in
this stage, but the severe dangers are diminishing.
Stages of a Thunderstorm
