A
supercell is a
thunderstorm that is characterized by the presence of a
mesocyclone: a deep, persistently rotating
updraft. For this reason, these storms are sometimes referred to as
rotating thunderstorms. Of the four classifications of thunderstorms (supercell,
squall line,
multi-cell, and
single-cell), supercells are the overall least common and have the potential to be the most severe. Supercells are often isolated from other thunderstorms, and can dominate the local weather up to away.