LP supercell (w-763-04)

In gallery: Photos of the month (2006)
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An LP (low-precipitation) supercell near the town of Oshkosh, Nebraska (USA) on June 2. LP supercells usually form in less humid airmasses and produce little to no precipitation. Because of the lack of precipitation the main updraft tower can usually be seen very well. LP supercells rarily produce tornadoes and little or no rainfall, but lightning and large hail can still occur. This photo nicely shows the lowered updraft base, which is most likely a consequence of the dynamically created lower pressure under the main updraft. The updraft base also appears smooth, as the air in the boundary layer below the storm had stabilized when the photo was taken (just after sunset).