Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm is an atmospheric phenomenon in which electrical discharges - lightning accompanied by thunder - occur inside clouds or between clouds and the earth's surface. This is a fairly common natural phenomenon that in certain situations can be mistaken for something anomalous, for example, when it occurs under unusual conditions or in a way that is unfamiliar to the observer. A striking example is the so-called "snowstorm" (or "snow thunderstorm"), i.e. a storm in which instead of a downpour, heavy snow, freezing rain or hail falls. The phenomenon is observed in the cold season on the shores of unfrozen seas and large lakes.

For example, heat lightning is a common phenomenon observed predominantly in August during the dark hours of the day, but thunder is not heard due to the distance, and only flashes of lightning, the light of which is reflected from cumulonimbus clouds (mainly their tops), can be seen.

Most often, lightning occurs in cumulonimbus clouds, which are called thunderclouds; sometimes lightning forms in stratiform rain clouds, as well as during volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, and dust storms.
Lightning can also form higher up. Thus, in 1989, a special type of lightning in the upper atmosphere was discovered - elves, then in 1989 - sprites, and in 1995 - jets.