Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

A thunderstorm is a storm that produces lightning and thunder, and sometimes heavy rain. Due to the lightning and thunder of a passing storm, it is often referred to as a squall line or a lightning storm.

Depending on the nature of the lightning, a thunderstorm may be called a thunder and lightning storm or simply a lightning storm.

A tornado is usually associated with a severe thunderstorm; while some tornadoes form during hurricanes or tropical storms, most tornadoes live and die alone and far from the parent cloud system.

Thunderstorms are caused by intense convection on moist hot days. A thunderstorm is a well-grown cumulonimbus cloud producing thunder and lightning.

When the clouds extend to heights where sub-zero temperature prevails, hails are formed and they come down as hailstorm. If there is insufficient moisture, a thunderstorm can generate dust- storms.

From severe thunderstorms sometimes spiralling wind descends like a trunk of an elephant with great force, with very low pressure at the centre, causing massive destruction on its way.

Such a phenomenon is called a tornado. Tornadoes generally occur in middle latitudes. The tornado over the sea is called water sprouts.