What typically happens in the mature stage of a thunderstorm?

In the mature stage of a thunderstorm, intense precipitation occurs due to downdrafts. At this stage, the storm is fully developed, with both strong updrafts and downdrafts present. The updrafts contribute to the formation of large droplets, which eventually overcome the upward force and begin to fall as rain. The downdrafts, which can be quite powerful, are responsible for bringing the rain down rapidly, often resulting in heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and potentially severe weather phenomena such as hail or even tornadoes.

The dynamics of the mature stage are characterized by the interaction between updrafts and downdrafts. While the updrafts help sustain the storm and promote the growth of the cloud, it is the downdrafts that result in significant precipitation. This stage is crucial because it is when the thunderstorm is at its peak intensity, leading to the most severe weather conditions associated with thunderstorms.