What is considered a severe thunderstorm?

A severe thunderstorm is defined by specific criteria that indicate its potential to cause significant damage and hazards. The correct definition states that a severe thunderstorm is one that produces hail with a diameter of at least 1 inch or has wind speeds of 58 mph or greater. These characteristics are important because they are directly associated with the capacity of such storms to create dangerous conditions, such as damaging property and causing injuries.

Hail of this size can cause extensive damage to vehicles, roofs, crops, and power lines. Similarly, wind speeds of 58 mph or higher can lead to downed trees and power lines, as well as the potential for tornado formation. This definition helps meteorologists categorize storms to effectively warn the public and prepare for potential impacts.

In contrast, storms that simply feature frequent lightning and heavy rainfall, or those with wind speeds below 40 mph, do not meet the criteria for severity. Additionally, thunderstorms that occur within a low-pressure system might simply be part of a larger weather pattern and do not inherently indicate severity without the presence of the aforementioned conditions.