4 CHAPTER 1 HOW THUNDERSTORMS FORM A thunderstorm happens when clouds make rain and lightning A thunderstorm needs warm moist air to form This warm air rises and meets cold air above The warm air cools WATCH A VIDEO HERE
5 Thunderstorm clouds can be as high as the tallest mountain on Earth Then it condenses into drops of water These drops stick to tiny bits of dust in the air Together they form a cloud
6 Water makes the bits of dust heavy If they are too heavy they fall out of the cloud These falling drops are rain The falling rain meets rising warm air When they meet an electric charge builds If clouds have enough electric charge lightning can form DID You The heat from lightning makes the air around it grow and shrink quickly This change creates the sound of thunder KNOW
7 Some thunderstorms have lightning but no rain These storms are called dry thunderstorms
