Many people get confused about the terms “isolated thunderstorms” and “scattered thunderstorms” when they read a weather forecast. They usually assume that the distinction lies in the severity and duration of the storms, but that is not the case. The primary difference between the two types of thunderstorms is in their scope of coverage. Isolated thunderstorms mainly affect limited areas, while scattered thunderstorms affect wider regions. It is because of this that the latter are more dangerous, as they affect a larger area and last for a longer period.

The occurrence of isolated and scattered thunderstorms depends on the conditions that cause them. A thunderstorm starts with a cumulonimbus cloud that reaches the ground and releases water, lightning, strong winds, and hail. The presence of lightning depends on the temperature differences of the clouds that create it. The cloud cools as it rises and the air that is heated at the surface flows beneath the cooler layer. The resulting updraft carries the moisture with it and causes precipitation.

When the updraft dissipates, the thunderstorm is said to be scattered. The time it takes for the updraft to dissipate affects how widespread the scattered thunderstorms are. It also determines whether or not the thunderstorm is likely to produce lightning.

A scattered thunderstorm is defined by having multiple updrafts and downdrafts close to each other. It occurs in a multicell cluster thunderstorm classification. Moisture, an unstable atmosphere, and a fleece wind are required to form this type of storm.