Thunderstorm
Thunderstorms electrical storm
A thunderstorm is a weather event with lightning and thunder. Heavy rain, gusts or hail often accompany it, but not every storm produces all of them.
What powers a storm cloud
Moist air is lifted, cools and forms a tall convective cloud, a cumulonimbus. If the rising air is less dense than its surroundings, it can keep rising. CAPE describes part of the potential energy supply; CIN describes possible inhibition.
Lightning and thunder belong together
Charge separation in the cloud enables lightning. A discharge heats air very rapidly; its sudden expansion creates thunder. Light reaches us much faster than sound, which is why we see the flash before hearing the thunder.
Why one street gets soaked and another stays dry
A storm cell can be small, develop locally or change its track. Heavy rain is often unevenly distributed. Changes in wind with height also influence whether storms remain brief isolated cells or become longer-lived, organised systems.
Seek shelter when thunder is heard
- A substantial enclosed building or a closed vehicle with a fixed metal roof provides shelter.
- An isolated tree, tent or open shelter is not a safe refuge.
- Remain sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder.
Lightning can strike outside the heaviest rain, so do not wait for a downpour before seeking shelter. Current DWD warnings and local instructions complement your observations.