FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 3b and FAA-H-8083-28B, ch. 22

The three stages of a thunderstorm

Every thunderstorm cell moves through the same three stages. The exam asks which feature belongs to which stage.

Part 107, explained › Weather · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.

What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?

A thunderstorm cell goes through the cumulus stage, the mature stage and the dissipating stage. The cumulus stage is marked by a strong updraft. The mature stage starts when precipitation reaches the surface and a downdraft joins the updraft, and hazards peak. In the dissipating stage downdrafts dominate and the storm dies.

In the cumulus stage, every thunderstorm begins as a cumulus cloud, and the updraft extends from near the surface to the cloud top. The cloud can grow at more than 3,000 feet per minute, so the FAA calls it inadvisable to operate a small UA in an area of rapidly building cumulus clouds.

Precipitation beginning to fall from the cloud base is the signal that a downdraft has developed and the cell has entered the mature stage. The downdraft spreads out at the surface as strong, gusty winds, and updrafts and downdrafts side by side create strong shear and turbulence. In the dissipating stage, downdrafts characterize the storm, and precipitation tapers off and ends. The total life cycle is typically about 30 minutes.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 257 · FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 258 · Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 34 · Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 35

What the FAA says

FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 257

It undergoes three distinct stages during its life cycle (see Figure 22-2): towering cumulus, mature, and dissipating. The total life cycle is typically about 30 minutes.

Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 34

Although most cumulus clouds do not grow into thunderstorms, every thunderstorm begins as a cumulus. The key feature of the cumulus stage is an updraft as illustrated in figure 3-4.

Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 35

Precipitation beginning to fall from the cloud base is your signal that a downdraft has developed and a cell has entered the mature stage.

Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 35

Downdrafts characterize the dissipating stage of the thunderstorm cell as shown in figure 3-4 and the storm dies rapidly.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 257 · Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 34 · Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 35 · Remote Pilot Study Guide, p. 35

Exam traps

  • The key feature of the cumulus stage is an updraft, and the key feature of the dissipating stage is downdrafts.
  • Precipitation beginning to fall signals the start of the mature stage.
  • All thunderstorm hazards reach their greatest intensity during the mature stage.
  • It is virtually impossible to visually detect the transition from one stage to another, and a thunderstorm may be a cluster of cells in different stages.

Quick quiz: 3 questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions. Each answer shows its FAA source.

Question 1 of 3

What feature is normally associated with the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?

  1. A Continuous updraft.
  2. B Frequent lightning.
  3. C Roll cloud.
Show the answer
Answer: A. Continuous updraft.

There are three phases to a thunderstorm, Cumulus stage (where the storm builds up), the Mature stage (greatest intensity, lots of updraft, rain hitting the ground), and the Dissipating stage (predominantly downdraft and the storm dies down).

FAA source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 3b, Thunderstorm cumulus stage

Question 2 of 3

Which weather phenomenon signals the beginning of the mature stage of a thunderstorm?

  1. A Maximum growth rate of the clouds.
  2. B The appearance of an anvil top.
  3. C Precipitation beginning to fall.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Precipitation beginning to fall.

There are three phases to a thunderstorm, Cumulus stage (where the storm builds up), the Mature stage (greatest intensity, lots of updraft, rain hitting the ground), and the Dissipating stage (predominantly downdraft and the storm dies down).

FAA source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 3b, The Mature Stage

Question 3 of 3

Thunderstorms reach their greatest intensity during the

  1. A cumulus stage.
  2. B downdraft stage.
  3. C mature stage.
Show the answer
Answer: C. mature stage.

There are three phases to a thunderstorm, Cumulus stage (where the storm builds up), the Mature stage (greatest intensity, lots of updraft, rain hitting the ground), and the Dissipating stage (predominantly downdraft and the storm dies down).

FAA source: FAA-G-8082-22 ch. 3b, The Mature Stage

What does a thunderstorm need to form?

It needs three ingredients: sufficient water vapor, unstable air, and a lifting mechanism such as fronts, upslope flow or converging winds.

Source: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 257

Is a single-cell thunderstorm common?

No. Single-cell storms are rare, and almost all thunderstorms are multicell. All thunderstorms are hazardous to aircraft.

Source: FAA-H-8083-28B, p. 258

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