Why thunderstorms happen when it’s hot and humid
Elmira, N.Y. (WETM) – Thunderstorms are a staple of our region in the spring and summertime. But why do they normally only happen this time of year?
One of the main reasons is due to moisture. There’s naturally more moisture in the atmosphere when it’s warm versus when it’s cold. Even if there is lots of instability, if there isn’t enough moisture, then no clouds will form and there can’t be any storms.
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Instability causes vertical motion in the atmosphere which is when we see cumulonimbus clouds. Cumulonimbus clouds are the ones that have an anvil shape on the top. When the atmosphere is stable, we normally either see clear skies or long horizontal clouds in the sky. That’s the easiest way to tell the difference. When the air is unstable, we see more upward motion in the atmosphere which can create clouds quicker when there is enough water vapor in the air.
Instability is mainly due to heat. Instability is measured by an air parcel’s ability to rise into the atmosphere. An air parcel is a pocket of air confined in a thin layer, similar to a thin balloon.
When the air is unstable, it can rise until it cools and saturates and forms a cloud. If there is enough energy to lift these air parcels, then vertical clouds can form which can provide thunderstorms.
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