supercell
noun
su·per·cell
ˈsü-pər-ˌsel 
: an unusually large storm cell
specifically
: a severe storm generated by such a cell
Examples of supercell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike tornadoes on the Great Plains, which often are associated with powerful rotating thunderstorms called supercell, these tornadoes were possibly not associated with that type of storm.
—
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
That’s the second-highest level of risk for thunderstorms and is usually reserved for days when several supercells produce intense tornadoes, large hail or destructive squall lines with widespread damaging winds.
—Molly Fellin Spence, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2023
This risk is usually reserved for days with several supercells producing intense tornadoes and/or very large hail, or an intense squall line with widespread damaging winds.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Mar. 2023
However, in full disclosure, there is some expert speculation in social media and compelling Doppler radar imagery that suggests supercell characteristics may have been present with the one of the tornadoes.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Under either trajectory, the number of annual supercell storms becomes more frequent and intense, with the mean supercell activity increasing in the U.S. by 7-15%.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2023
Moreover, that is also where a couple of rogue supercells, or more discrete, isolated rotating storms, are expected to form.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 27 July 2023
Another video shared by Kirk Giglio shows the base of a supercell — storms containing rotating updrafts — passing over Shelbyville.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, The Indianapolis Star, 26 June 2023
Forecasters said that clusters of storms, including supercells, will continue to track east-southeast through south Alabama through this evening.
—Leigh Morgan, al, 15 June 2023
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Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
That’s the second-highest level of risk for thunderstorms and is usually reserved for days when several supercells produce intense tornadoes, large hail or destructive squall lines with widespread damaging winds.
—Molly Fellin Spence, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2023
This risk is usually reserved for days with several supercells producing intense tornadoes and/or very large hail, or an intense squall line with widespread damaging winds.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Mar. 2023
However, in full disclosure, there is some expert speculation in social media and compelling Doppler radar imagery that suggests supercell characteristics may have been present with the one of the tornadoes.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Under either trajectory, the number of annual supercell storms becomes more frequent and intense, with the mean supercell activity increasing in the U.S. by 7-15%.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2023
Moreover, that is also where a couple of rogue supercells, or more discrete, isolated rotating storms, are expected to form.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 27 July 2023
Another video shared by Kirk Giglio shows the base of a supercell — storms containing rotating updrafts — passing over Shelbyville.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, The Indianapolis Star, 26 June 2023
Forecasters said that clusters of storms, including supercells, will continue to track east-southeast through south Alabama through this evening.
—Leigh Morgan, al, 15 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supercell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1985, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near supercell
Cite this Entry
“Supercell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supercell. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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