Which of the following describes the stages of a thunderstorm?

The stages of a thunderstorm are accurately described as developing, mature, and dissipating. Each of these stages represents a distinct phase in the life cycle of a thunderstorm.

During the developing stage, the thunderstorm begins to form, characterized by the upward movement of warm, moist air, which can lead to cloud formation. As this air rises, it cools, and condensation begins, signaling the initial stages of thunderstorm development.

Once the storm reaches its mature stage, it has fully developed, featuring dense clouds, heavy precipitation, and strong winds. This is also the stage where the storm is most active and can produce severe weather phenomena, including lightning, hail, and strong downdrafts.

In the dissipating stage, the storm begins to weaken. The precipitation decreases, and the updrafts diminish, leading to the storm gradually losing its structure and intensity.

This progression—developing, mature, and dissipating—is a well-established framework in meteorology to describe the lifecycle of thunderstorms, making it the correct choice.