A thunderstorm is an atmospheric phenomenon that manifests itself in the form of electrical discharges - lightning. Lightning usually occurs between the surfaces of the earth and clouds. Occasionally, electrical flares can pass inside the cloud.
Instructions
Step 1
For humans, thunderstorms are one of the most dangerous natural phenomena. In terms of the number of deaths from people, thunderstorms are second only to floods. Thunderstorms are common in the Earth's atmosphere. Approximately 46 lightning strikes occur over the surface of our planet every second. It is worth noting that thunderstorms occur over continents ten times more often than over oceans.
Step 2
Almost eighty percent of all thunderstorms occurring on Earth are concentrated in the tropics and subtropics. The intensity of thunderstorms is directly related to solar activity. The main percentage of thunderstorm formations is recorded in the afternoon hours of the summer months.
Step 3
Lightning is the result of the creation of a thundercloud. For such clouds to form, a number of conditions must be met. This is usually due to the presence of powerful upstreams. That is why lightning is a frequent occurrence in mountainous areas.
Step 4
It is now accepted to classify thunderstorms according to the meteorological environment in which they occur. The size of a thundercloud depends on the magnitude and intensity of the upward flow of a certain humidity.
Step 5
The least powerful thunderstorms are classified as single-cell. They occur in light winds and do not have sufficient intensity. The most common type of thunderstorm is multi-cell cluster formations. This type is much more powerful than single-cell, but far from the most intense.
Step 6
Supercell thunderstorms are the least common. This type poses a serious threat to public buildings and human life. A thundercloud of this type can be up to fifty kilometers wide and fifteen high. A huge amount of energy is expended on the occurrence and course of a thunderstorm. It is roughly equivalent to a 20 kiloton nuclear explosion. Naturally, all the energy is released much more slowly over a huge area, therefore, it is practically imperceptible.
