HOW STORM SUPERCELLS FORM
What turns an ordinary storm into a whirling maelstrom?
WORDS AILSA HARVEY
A Doppler radar device sends out electromagnetic waves into the atmosphere. Precipitation in the air reflects these, providing data on the movement of nearby supercells
On astormy day, if you can see a towering rod of clouds topped with a funnel-shaped horizontal cloud, there’s a chance you are looking at a supercell. What separates supercells from regular thunderstorms is the rotating movement of air at the centre as it’s drawn upwards to the top of the storm. Supercells are the least common form of thunderstorm. To spot a supercell in the distance, you need to observe the shape and movement of the clouds decorating them.