Types of severe storms

The atmosphere generates a number of different types of severe storms. Some examples include:

• Supercell thunderstorms
• Squall lines
• Bow Echoes
• Derechoes
• Mesoscale Convective Complexes

MCCs

• Mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) represent a larger form of MCS organization.
• A system is identified as an MCC based on its characteristics as depicted on IR satellite imagery.
• The physical characteristics include a general cloud shield with continuously low IR temperatures less than -32° C over an area 100,000 km², with an interior cold cloud region with temperatures less than -52° C having an area of 50,000 km².
• MCCs often last for 6-12 h, and are especially known for producing heavy amounts of rain, although severe winds, hail, and tornadoes can also occur during the early phases of MCC evolution.