Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm, also called an electrical storm or lightning storm, is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its attendant thunder produced from a cumulonimbus cloud. The lightning is caused by an electrical charge that builds up inside the storm due to the movement of water droplets or crystals carried by the wind. Thunderstorms are usually accompanied by heavy rainfall (heavy downpours), strong winds, hail, and sometimes tornadoes. During the winter months, snowfall can occasionally take place in a thunderstorm. This occurrence is often termed thundersnow.