Which of the following is a characteristic of the final stage of a thunderstorm?

The final stage of a thunderstorm, known as the dissipating stage, is primarily characterized by the heavy rainfall that occurs as the storm begins to weaken. During this period, the strong updrafts that were present in earlier stages diminish, allowing precipitation to fall more freely to the ground. This heavy rain can lead to localized flooding, especially if it occurs over a short time.

While options that discuss cooling and condensation, cloud growth, or frictional drag are relevant to other stages of a thunderstorm or atmospheric processes, they do not specifically define the characteristic of the storm in its final stage as effectively as the heavy rainfall. The focus during this stage is the transition from active storm development to a gradual weakening, which is marked by substantial precipitation that eventually leads to the storm's dissipation.