ClimateAugust 29, 2026
supercell
SOO-per-sell
Definition
A highly organized and intense type of thunderstorm characterized by a rotating updraft, capable of producing severe weather like heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.
Etymology
Derived from the prefix 'super-' (meaning above or beyond) and 'cell' (referring to a single convective unit in meteorology). It entered scientific usage in the mid-20th century to identify storms that are larger and more complex than standard atmospheric cells.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe an intense, high-impact weather event that dumps large amounts of water in a short period, contrasting it with more moderate, gradual rainfall.
Nepal disaster exposes threat of living on shifting ground
Read the full article ↗ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation