A localized weather phenomenon characterized by lightning, thunder, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, formed when warm, moist air rises rapidly through cooler air layers. These storms are powered by convective processes and can produce severe weather conditions.
Compound word from Old English 'thunor' (thunder, related to Thor, the Norse god of thunder) and 'storm' from Proto-Germanic meaning 'disturbance.' The meteorological understanding developed in the 1800s with advances in atmospheric science.
Thunderstorms are Earth's natural electrical generators! A single storm can produce enough electrical energy to power a small city, and they're essential for fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere, making this vital nutrient available to plants worldwide.
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