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The anvil typically shows the direction of movement. The anvil shaped top is formed by the upper level winds shearing off the top of the storm. The way I understand it, is that these winds are what limit the vertical development of the storm.
With a few exceptions, (in the continental US) all frontal systems and thunderstorms move in a westerly direction. Winds aloft at altitudes where the anvil forms almost always run in a westerly direction. The sheer Avbug talks about is at the tropopause. That is where lapse rate, winds and pressure all change very dramatically.
So, as a thunderstorm builds to heights near the tropopause, the moisture that is carried up gets blown out to the west, forming the anvil. That is also the general direction of the movement of the storm. What to watch out for is the continuing build up beyond the anvil. That storm will have tremendous power and is likely to produce some hail and tornadic activity.
All I know is that it is not a good idea to fly through the overhang.
With a few exceptions, (in the continental US) all frontal systems and thunderstorms move in a westerly direction. Winds aloft at altitudes where the anvil forms almost always run in a westerly direction.
Hmmm...I get the feeling that KSU_Aviator has either mis-spoken or he/she has never lived in the central plains during the January through December thunderstorm season.
On the grand scheme of things, cells move east. However, locally cells can move in any direction, including westbound.
Directly adjacent to the cell beneath the "overhang" or anvil isn't a good place to be, as storm products may be exhuasting there, however, the debris field by itself, with adequate distance from the storm, isn't dangerous by itself. Debris fields can extend hundreds of miles downrange, in some cases.
Believe it or not, the "overhang" isn't as bad as one would think. When things get nasty is when you get "donut-holed" in there, or have a nasty encounter with a gust front...or when you're next to something truly severe fountaining hail, but even that's not too common from my experience. Have spent quite a few hours flying right next to "the beast" in smooth air, again, depending on the position of the gust front.
Believe it or not, the "overhang" isn't as bad as one would think. When things get nasty is when you get "donut-holed" in there, or have a nasty encounter with a gust front...or when you're next to something truly severe fountaining hail, but even that's not too common from my experience. Have spent quite a few hours flying right next to "the beast" in smooth air, again, depending on the position of the gust front.
You are giving bad advice. Stay away from the overhang. One day, if you keep it up, you will encounter bad hail. Just deviate away from the storm and be done with it.