Hook echo - A radar pattern sometimes observed in the southwest (right, rear) quadrant of a tornadic thunderstorm. Hail - Precipitation in the form of balls or clumps of ice. It is usually felt as a change to gusty cool winds and often precedes the thunderstorm's rain by several minutes. Gust front - the leading edge of the thunderstorm's downdraft of air as it spreads out away from the storm. It is associated with a rotating column of air that has condensed to form a cloud. It is most frequently associated with strong or severe thunderstorms.įunnel cloud - a funnel-shaped cloud extending from a towering cumulus or thunderstorm. The cloud line has roughly a stair-step appearance with the taller clouds adjacent to the parent cumulonimbus. It is most often accompanied by rain.įlanking line - A line of cumulus clouds connected to and extending outward from the most active portion of a parent cumulonimbus, usually found on the southwest (right, rear) side of a storm. Viewing the damage from the air does not reveal evidence of a twisting motion or convergence toward a central track, like it would for a tornado.ĭowndraft - A column of cool air that sinks toward the ground. It usually occurs near the leading edge of the storm or may occur in heavy rain. As the cloud and cloud droplets grow in size, the base will begin to gray.ĭownburst - A sudden rush of cool air toward ground that can impact with speeds greater than 70 mph and produce damage similar to that of a tornado. Tufts are rising columns of air condensing. With long-lasting thunderstorms, the anvil may spread more than 100 miles downwind.Ĭumulus cloud - a cauliflower-shaped cloud with a flat base and sharp edges. It usually has a fibrous or smooth appearance. Anvil - The spreading out (by strong winds) of the upper portion of the thunderstorm.

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