What are the three stages of a thunderstorm cell in the correct sequence?
AFormation, active, and dissipating.
BCumulus, mature, and dissipating.✓
CBuilding, peak, and collapse.
Why →A thunderstorm progresses through: Cumulus Stage (strong updrafts, vertical development), Mature Stage (updrafts and downdrafts coexist and precipitation reaches the surface: the most hazardous phase, with lightning, hail, and wind shear), and Dissipating Stage (downdrafts dominate, updraft supply cut off, storm weakens).
The trap →"Formation, active, dissipating" is plausible-sounding but non-standard: the FAA terms are cumulus, mature, dissipating. And it is the mature stage, not a "peak," that is most dangerous.
Field note →Mature-stage updrafts can reach 6,000 fpm. The dissipating stage is still not flyable; it carries embedded lightning and hail. There is no safe stage of a thunderstorm for sUAS.
SOURCE → PHAK Chapter 12, Weather TheoryCHECKED JUL 16ACS III.B.K1MED