A thunderstorm is a weather condition typified by the presence of thunder and lightning. Also known as a lightning storm or an electrical storm, a thunderstorm is often accompanied by heavy rain and sometimes hail or snow. Some thunderstorms have no precipitation at all. This weather condition may occur in series, and a severe or strong thunderstorm may rotate.

Causes of thunderstorms

Thunderstorms form when unstable moist air is lifted into the atmosphere. This vertical lifting result in condensation and the release of heat. The lifting of air is caused by a number of factors.

One factor that initiates vertical lifting is the unequal warming of the Earth's surface. There's also the orographic lifting as a result of topographic impediment of air flow. The vertical lifting can also be caused by the presence of frontal zones (dynamic lifting).

Types of thunderstorms

There are two common types of thunderstorms. Air mass thunderstorms occur in summer in the mid-latitudes and all year long at the equator. The most common type of thunderstorm, it usually develops in the late afternoon when surface heating creates the maximum number of atmospheric convection currents. Another type of thunderstorms is associated with dry lines or mid-latitude cyclone cold fronts. This type is often associated with severe weather.

Stages of thunderstorms

Regardless of type, all thunderstorms go through a three-stage life cycle: the cumulus stage (developing stage), the mature stage, and the dissipation stage. These stages occur from 20 minutes to a few hours, depending on the atmospheric condition.

In the first stage, masses of moist air are lifted vertically into the atmosphere. The moisture then rapidly cools into liquid, appearing as cumulus clouds. The released latent heat warms the air, making it less dense compared to the surrounding dry air. The updraft rise of the air creates a low pressure zone under the developing thunderstorm.

In the second stage, the warmed air rises until it reaches existing warmer air. The air stops to rise and begins to spread out, resulting in a cloud known as cumulonimbus incus. Heavy rain begins to fall and creates downdrafts simultaneous with updrafts. A strong internal turbulence occurs during this stage, which is sometimes manifested by sever lightning, strong winds, and even tornadoes.

The downdraft dominates the final stage. It pushes down out of the thunderstorm, hits the ground, and spreads out. The cool air cuts off the inflow of the storm. The updraft then disappears and the thunderstorm eventually dissipates.

.