Thunderstorm wreaks havoc High temperature and humidity may attract heavy rainfall, explain weather experts
Ever wonder why a thunderstorm always strikes in the afternoon or evening hours? Answer: It needs the warm air and moisture that are present in the air at that time of day.
Thunderclouds are a local phenomenon and not always related to the monsoons. These clouds live for an hour or two at the most. The higher the clouds the more the intensity. If the thunderclouds are located eight kilometres or more above this means, the intensity of the rain, lightning and thunder will be greater.
The wind produced by these clouds can gust to 150 km per hour. It does not end with one thundercloud as the wind, pushed by the heavy rain, hits the ground and reverts back. It moves vertically upwards to form more thunderclouds and the rain continues. These thunderclouds need 20 minutes of humidity and air to burst.
The relative humidity in the city in the past few days has been 98 per cent, enough to build a thundercloud. “Rise in temperatures and humidity (moisture) are primary components for a thundercloud,” says weather bureau chief Y.K. Reddy.
“It begins with thunder accompanied by lightning and heavy rain. After one cloud goes off, more clouds will be developed around the same time. The highintensity rainfall and gusty winds push the air to the ground, which reverts and moves vertically upwards, mixes with the moist air to give birth to a new cloud. Thunderclouds can form in a quick span of 20- 30 minutes.”