During the early minutes of the Plainview thunderstorm, rainfall intensity and canopy area increased at the same time. Which explanation best accounts for this initial parallel growth?
Answer
A
Latent heat released by condensation strengthened the updraft, producing both heavier rainfall and organized canopy expansion.
B
Dry-air mixing into mid-levels enhanced buoyancy differences, causing the canopy to expand outward while rainfall intensified.
C
Rain-cooled outflow spread outward at the surface, lifting the canopy overhead while rainfall rates simultaneously increased.
D
Surface heating beneath the storm reinforced inflow, sustaining both stronger rainfall and canopy expansion aloft.