Editing Thunderstorm (section)

=== Mature stage ===
[[File:Anvil shaped cumulus panorama edit crop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Anvil-shaped thundercloud in the mature stage]]

In the mature stage of a thunderstorm, the warmed air continues to rise until it reaches an area of warmer air and can rise no farther. Often this 'cap' is the [[tropopause]]. The air is instead forced to spread out, giving the storm a characteristic [[anvil]] shape. The resulting cloud is called ''[[cumulonimbus incus]]''. The water droplets [[coalescence (meteorology)|coalesce]] into larger and heavier droplets and freeze to become ice particles. As these fall, they melt to become rain. If the updraft is strong enough, the droplets are held aloft long enough to become so large that they do not melt completely but fall as [[hail]]. While updrafts are still present, the falling rain drags the surrounding air with it, creating ''[[downdrafts]]'' as well. The simultaneous presence of both an updraft and a downdraft marks the mature stage of the storm and produces cumulonimbus clouds. During this stage, considerable internal [[turbulence]] can occur, which manifests as strong winds, severe lightning, and even [[tornado]]es.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pilotsweb.com/wx/w_sense.htm|title=Structural Icing in VMC|author=Pilot's Web The Aviator's Journal|date=13 June 2009|access-date=2 September 2009|archive-date=19 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819055501/http://pilotsweb.com/wx/w_sense.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Typically, if there is little [[wind shear]], the storm will rapidly enter the dissipating stage and 'rain itself out',<ref name="Extreme Weather" /> but, if there is sufficient change in wind speed or direction, the downdraft will be separated from the updraft, and the storm may become a [[supercell]], where the mature stage can sustain itself for several hours.<ref name="motion"/>
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