All Questions
Tagged with meteorology thunderstorm
25 questions
0
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1
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46
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Why is there so much activity in the upper atmosphere, even though it is usually colder?
My son thought the atmosphere (that is, above our heads as humans) is hotter than what we experience, and I told him that it is typically cooler. (I suppose there can occasionally be an "...
- 103
2
votes
0
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238
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Could the electrical potential difference between the Windward and Leeward sides of a mountain range generate electrical current?
I would like to know if it is possible that the electrical potential difference between the Windward side and the Leeward side of a mountain range, due to a thunderstorm occurring on the Windward side,...
user23275
1
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0
answers
34
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Is there some science behind the cloud color of "electric blue"
I do notice that the bottom of thunderheads have a dark grey blue hue(here in the PNW they do where I live and T-storms are not common but they do happen). And many times when I see a cloud bank ...
- 273
1
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0
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74
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What are the current theories on the formation of satellite tornados
I have already searched the web for information on the formation of satellite tornadoes but all the sites say the mechanism is unknown.
What are the current leading theories for their formation?
- 67
1
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0
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58
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How do we detect thunderbolts in real time?
When I look at radar data (in Windy for example), and I'm looking into a thunderstorm, I often see thunderbolts appearing in 'real time' on the map. How does that work ? I assume some satellites have ...
2
votes
1
answer
699
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What causes thunderstorms to develop in the early dawn hours?
I know that a majority of thunderstorms form in the daytime due to convection from sunlight heating in a moist, unstable airmass. Once the sun begins to set, these storms dissipate.
But on some ...
- 21
1
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2
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255
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Are thunderstorms normal at the end of a heat wave?
As far as I know, heat waves form when a high-pressure system builds up over an area. This forms a sort of "cap" over the affected area which prevents air from rising and cooling and then ...
- 113
1
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0
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68
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Thunderstorm Frequency Depending on the Year [closed]
Why is it that some years have significantly more thunderstorms than others while other years have significantly less? For example, in 2008, there were 15 thunderstorm days in Asheville but above 40 ...
- 411
1
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50
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Why it doesn’t always rain with lightning and thunder when it’s hot [duplicate]
Thunderstorms happen after a period of warm weather. There are times though in the summer after it’s been warm for a while and even after it was 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the thunderstorms they predicted ...
- 411
4
votes
3
answers
464
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Why do clouds have ceilings and bases?
What is the point called when water can not rise above or visually seem to have a ceiling in the atmosphere? What makes that point ideal?
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1
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1
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245
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What percentage of cumulonimbus clouds create lightning?
I understand that cumulonimbus clouds can create lightning, but do not understand how many of them create lightning. I would assume that most multi-cell systems would have lightning, while single ...
- 14k
3
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0
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126
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Why do nearby thunderstorms move in different directions?
The image below from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology shows several thunderstorms in southeast Queensland today and the directions they are expected to move.
I'm surprised how different these ...
- 131
13
votes
2
answers
9k
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What is the loudest thunder ever recorded (dB) at ground level and where did it occur?
Sound travels fastest through warm air and conditions such as temperature inversions can help to amplify the sound of thunder (source). Conversely, during a thundersnow event the falling, and ...
user11318
8
votes
1
answer
341
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What is the best way to stay safe while photographing lightning storms?
Occasionally, I go out with my camera and tripod and capture cumulonimbus clouds from distance. Sometimes I am worried when I hear thunder that I could be hit by a lightning bolt. I have seen several "...
- 725
6
votes
1
answer
615
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How are lightning and thunderstorm intensity linked?
I have lightning data that contains individual strikes and their location, time, polarity, amplitude and type (cloud-to-ground, intracloud). I am trying to develop some metrics that will help me ...
- 315
1
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1
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230
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Could a large burst of super-heated or super-cooled air cause tornadoes to fall apart?
We know how tornadoes form: when areas of hot air and cold air mingle, causing rotation. We can even see them form on the radar.
Yet, for all of our technology, we can't stop such events from ...
- 113
3
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1
answer
830
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Using Range Height Indicator scan of radar
I am learning about the several modes of radar that are used to study structure of thunder storms and mesoscale systems. There are three modes of radar scans as documented here - Weather Radar Systems
...
user1066
14
votes
1
answer
5k
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St. Elmo's Fire not dangerous?
I know that St. Elmo's Fire is a form of plasma that occurs during thunderstorms that is similar to lightning because it is formed by a difference in charges.
But why isn't it dangerous if St. Elmo's ...
- 567
17
votes
3
answers
20k
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How far away can you see a thunderstorm?
At 9:30 PM on July 13, 2015, I was looking due south from Oshkosh, WI. I saw very clearly a large storm with 1-2 lightning strikes per second. I could see cloud-to-cloud lightning traces, as well as ...
- 273
8
votes
2
answers
5k
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Are lightning storms more common at night?
I have, to my knowledge, seen far more lightning strikes and heard more thunderclaps at night than I have during the day.
Are lightning storms more common at night, or are they just more noticeable ...
- 183
24
votes
1
answer
20k
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Do tornadoes have eyes?
In the movie Into the Storm (2014) near the end, storm chaser Pete sees the eye of a massive tornado.
In 1928 (real life), Will Keller was in his barn when a huge tornado passed through. He reported ...
- 343
12
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1
answer
400
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How can you explain this storm phenomenon?
It's been a while since this happened, so I don't have many details. About 3 years ago, we had a popup storm here in Louisville. It was completely unexpected and unpredicted. That's not the strange ...
- 223
21
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1
answer
887
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What data does a skilled meteorologist look at to predict thunderstorms?
An uneducated layman like me would just look at CAPE numbers and make rough guesses on possible thunderstorms. In a related but non-duplicate question, vertical wind shear is discussed.
If we are ...
- 2,103
10
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1
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184
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Is there a convenient place to get vertical wind shear info for my location?
Now that it's thunderstorm season here in New Hampshire, it would be nice to be able to find out what the vertical wind shear is like at the altitudes that affect thunderstorm formation, to guess ...
- 231
11
votes
2
answers
466
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Propagation of sound after lightning
In an area of frequent thunderstorms, I notice a 'crack or whoosh' sound if a strike is nearby but little or no thunder. Yet I can hear for 30 seconds or so after a distant flash when the thunder ...
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