Hydrology: Under what atmospheric conditions is a thunderstorm most likely to form?

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
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Hydrology: Under what atmospheric conditions is a thunderstorm most likely to form? 

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Thunderstorms can form at any time of the year. However, they generally form at times when the moisture content of the atmosphere is very high. The huge volume of moisture in the atmosphere is necessary for the formation of clouds of the thunderstorms by condensation of the moisture content of the atmosphere, which leads to precipitation during thunderstorms. Another atmospheric condition under which thunderstorms are most likely to occur is rising of air rapidly, which is possible only if a parcel of air becomes more buoyant in comparison to the surrounding air. This makes the atmosphere unstable, resulting in the rapid rise of this more buoyant air through the atmosphere. Presence of warmer air near the surface of the Earth and the presence of cold air at the higher altitudes are responsible for the creation of such atmospheric instabilty, which leads to thunderstorms. 

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