Search Wiki

Thunderstorm

Storm with lightning and thunder.

thunder shower

A thunderstorm is a localized storm produced by cumulonimbus clouds and typically accompanied by lightning, thunder, heavy rain, strong winds, hail, or tornadoes.

Pronunciation

/ˈθʌndərˌstɔːrm/

Etymology

From Middle English thunderstorm, from thunder + storm.

Explain Like I’m 5

A thunderstorm is a storm with lightning and thunder, like when rain falls really hard and you see bright flashes in the sky.

Fun Facts

Thunderstorms can produce hail, sometimes as large as grapefruits
Lightning can heat the air so quickly that it causes a loud 'boom'
Some thunderstorms are supercells, which can last for hours

FAQ

What causes thunderstorms? Warm, moist air rising and cooling
What is lightning? A giant spark of electricity
Is thunder loud? Yes, it's the sound of air expanding rapidly from lightning

Synonyms — Similar or Related Terms

electrical storm tempest

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

weather phenomenon storm

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

supercell thunderstorm squall line multicell thunderstorm

Meronyms — Parts or Components

lightning thunder rain hail wind

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

weather

Indexes

natural phenomenon weather event

Related

Built by Tim Jones