Air-mass Thunderstorm

Air-mass thunderstorm is generally a thunderstorm not associated with a front or other type of synoptic-scale forcing mechanism. Rather air-mass thunderstorms are associated with warm, moist and thus unstable air-masses in the summer months.Therefore the name! They develop locally during the afternoon or late in the day in response to insolation through convective heating from the surface. Thus they are also known as single-cell thunderstorms. Typically they do not persist very long - usually an hour or so - and dissipate rather quickly after sunset.

Air-mass thunderstorms have a distinct life-cycle described by three stages: (1)cumulus stage, (2)mature stage and (3)dissipating. They generally are less likely to be severe t han other types of thunderstorms associated with widespread lifting or vertical motion at a front, but they still are capable of producing downbursts, brief heavy rain, and (in extreme cases) hail over 3/4 inch in diameter.

Since all thunderstorms are associated with some type of forcing mechanism, synoptic-scale or otherwise, the existence of true air-mass thunderstorms is debatable. Therefore the term is somewhat controversial and should be used with discretion.

Related features and links:
Air-masses
Convection
Lifted Index
Thunderstorm
WeatherOnline Lightning Map