eli5: why do thunderstorms generally start with high winds and heavy rain then finish with gentle rain?

Question

eli5: why do thunderstorms generally start with high winds and heavy rain then finish with gentle rain?

In: Earth Science

Answer 1

Generally, storm fronts, as they are called, happen when cold dry air meets warm humid air.

This boundary causes storms and moves, generally west to east, (but not always). So, if you are on the cold side, there won’t be any reason for rain, and less water in the atmosphere in general. The front hits where the biggest temperature difference and most severe weather is, then it passes over you and you are then left on the warm side, where the temperature difference fades along with the severe weather.