Thunderstorms

A thunderstorm is a violent local storm produced by a cumulonimbus cloud and accompanied by thunder and lightning. It represents extreme convective activity in the atmosphere, with both updrafts and downdrafts reaching high speeds. Thunderstorms are usually classified as frontal or air-mass thunderstorms. The thunderstorm depends upon the release of latent heat, by the condensation of water vapor, for most of its energy. Tremendous amounts of this energy are in a single well-developed thunderstorm. Part of the heat energy is converted to kinetic energy of motion to cause the violent winds, which usually accompany thunderstorms. Several conditions are necessary for thunderstorm development: a conditionally unstable atmosphere, sufficient moisture, and some lifting or triggering mechanism. Once initiated, thunderstorm cells go through a life cycle consisting of cumulus, mature, and dissipating stages. The most active stage is the mature stage when lightning discharges, the thunderstorm downdraft, and precipitation are all at their maximum. In extreme conditions, tornadoes may develop. Thunderstorms in the mature stage are important in fire control because they start fires by lightning, blow them out of control with the downdraft and outflow, or put them out with rain.

• Conditions Necessary for Thunderstorm Development
• Life Cycle of a Thunderstorm Cell
• Types of Thunderstorms
• Lightning
• Tornadoes