What Causes Thunderstorms?

6/5/2019 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms form when an air mass becomes so unstable that it overturns (convects) violently.  "Unstable" means that the air in the lowest layers is unusally warm and humid, or that the upper layers are unusually cool, or oftentimes, both.  Pockets of rising near-surface air in an unstable air mass expand and cool, and as some of the water vapor present condenses into a cloud it releases heat, which then makes the air parcel even warmer, forcing it to rise still higher in the atmosphere.  If the lower level air is sufficiently warm and humid, and the higher altitude air is sufficiently cool, this process continues until a tall convective cloud - the thunderstorm - is formed. Thunderstorms can cause significant damage to property.  Homeowners know to call SERVPRO of High Point for any water or fire related issues.