What generally happens to the cloud during the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?

During the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm, the cloud typically dissipates and spreads out into an anvil shape. This stage occurs after the peak of the storm when the updrafts start to weaken, leading to a decrease in the storm's intensity. As the storm loses energy, the cloud can begin to flatten and expand horizontally at the top, forming the characteristic anvil shape. This is a result of the downdrafts pushing the cloud's moisture outwards, which often leads to the gradual weakening of the storm and eventual dissipation of the overall cloud structure. The emergence of this anvil shape is indicative of a storm that is starting to lose its organized structure and is on the decline.