Ordinary thunderstorms only last about one hour and begin to dissipate when
A) lightning neutralizes all the electrical charge in the cloud.
B) when all the precipitation particles in the cloud turn to ice.
C) when the downdraft spreads throughout the cloud and cuts off the updraft.
D) when solar heating at the ground begins to decrease.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Thunderstorms are sustained by an updraft of warm, moist air that rises and cools, causing water vapor to condense into clouds and rain. When the downdraft spreads throughout the cloud, it cuts off the updraft, which ultimately leads to the dissipation of the storm. Lightning and precipitation may occur during the storm, but they do not directly cause the storm to dissipate. Solar heating may contribute to the development of a thunderstorm, but it is not the main factor in its dissipation.

Ordinary Thunderstorms Only Last About One Hour and Begin to Dissipate