Strong or severe thunderstorms include some of the most dangerous weather phenomena, including large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Some of the most persistent severe thunderstorms, known as supercells, rotate as do cyclones.
A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado.
Thunderstorm, a violent short-lived weather disturbance that is almost always associated with lightning, thunder, dense clouds, heavy rain or hail, and strong gusty winds. Learn more about thunderstorms, including their structure and the different types.
The difference between a thunderstorm and a severe thunderstorm is the wind field. For a severe thunderstorm, the ingredients that must be present are moisture, instability, lift and strong speed and directional storm relative wind shear.
Have you ever wondered what happens in the atmospheric when a thunderstorm forms?
Learn how thunderstorms form, what causes lightning and thunder, and how these violent phenomena help balance the planet's energy and electricity.
A thunderstorm is the result of something called a convection cell, which occurs when warm, wet air or water vapor rises into colder air causing the vapor to condense into water droplets.
Thunderstorm tracker and lightning map. Check where the storm is in the world. Current thunderstorm map. See how storm clouds are moving on the radar and where there are lightning discharges.
Next time you notice a severe thunderstorm warning for your area, take note of the hail size and wind strength.