What is the dominating feature of a dissipating thunderstorm?

A dissipating thunderstorm is characterized primarily by a downdraft. As a thunderstorm progresses into the dissipation stage, the storm's updraft weakens significantly, and the energy that sustained the storm begins to diminish. The downdraft, which is the result of precipitation and evaporation processes within the storm, becomes the dominant feature.

As rain falls from the cloud, it drags cooler air downward, and this downdraft can lead to the suppression of the remaining updraft. With the diminishing updraft, the storm loses its strength and eventually dissipates. Understanding this process is crucial for pilots, as it indicates the storm is weakening and will likely clear the area of the associated turbulence and adverse weather conditions.

In a dissipation phase, while other elements like changing wind direction and precipitation may still be present, they do not define the core characteristic of the stage. The downdraft's significance indicates the storm's life cycle is nearing its end, making it the key feature in recognizing a dissipating thunderstorm.