Supercells are the most intense and well-organized types of storms, known for producing large hail, damaging straight-line winds, and tornadoes. But not all supercells look the same or post the same set of hazards. Differences in moisture, wind shear, and storm structure can result in very different behaviors from one supercell to the next.
First, we have LP or low-precipitation supercell. This type of supercell is often the most striking visually as you more of a structure show given the low amount of precipitation being developed. These storms form in environments with strong wind shear but limited moisture, which keeps the rainfall production limited. Despite the lighter rainfall, LP supercells are known for their large hail production and can produce tornadoes.
The most common type of supercell is the "classic" supercell. These storms typically form in environments with sufficient moisture, strong wind shear, and lots of storm fuel, allowing them to maintain a well-defined rotating updraft - known as a mesocyclone - while still producing a decent amount of rainfall. Visually, classic supercells often feature a rain-free base, a visible wall cloud, and a precipitation core that is separated from the updraft. Because of this, they are capable of producing all severe hazards including large hail, wind, and tornadoes.
Now, the storms we dealt with last Friday are known as high precipitation or HP supercells. These storms form in moisture-rich environments where heavy rain wraps closely around the updraft. This is why this type of supercell is considered the most dangerous of the three because any focused area of rotation or tornado will quickly become "rain-wrapped". Again this is strikingly similar to what Lena went through as the tornado started out visible, but then became rain-wrapped as it approached town. On radar, they appear messy, but can still produce tornadoes, large hail, and damaging straight-line winds.
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