What is the final stage of the thunderstorm life cycle?

The final stage of the thunderstorm life cycle is the dissipating stage. During this phase, the storm begins to weaken as the updrafts that sustained it diminish. As the storm loses its energy, precipitation decreases, and the cloud tops begin to dissipate. This stage marks the transition from a fully developed thunderstorm to its eventual dissipation.

The dissipating stage follows the mature stage where the storm reaches its peak intensity, characterized by strong updrafts, heavy rain, and potentially severe weather conditions such as lightning or hail. Understanding this life cycle is crucial for safety and operational planning, especially for drone operators who may need to avoid severe weather conditions during their flying activities.