What characterizes the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?

The dissipating stage of a thunderstorm is characterized by the predominance of downdrafts, which replace the updrafts that were initially present during the storm's development. As the storm progresses into this stage, the cooling effect of the downdrafts diminishes the strength of the storm. Rain begins to taper off, and the storm loses its ability to sustain itself. In this phase, the storm's overall intensity decreases, leading to a reduction in severe weather phenomena such as heavy rainfall and strong winds. This transition signifies the storm is losing its energy and is ultimately coming to an end, hence the characterization of the dissipating stage by downdraft activity overtaking the previous updrafts.