These big, gray clouds mean a thunderstorm is coming!
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Stay indoors during a thunderstorm. Lightning can be dangerous!
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Thunderstorms bring plenty of rain. This rain may cause your town to flood.
Ryan Morgan/Shutterstock.com
Thunderstorms can be good. They bring rain to help plants grow.
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What are thunderstorms? 
Thunderstorms are rainstorms that bring lightning and thunder. During these storms, you can hear loud booms of thunder. You
can also see flashes of lightning.
Stay indoors during a thunderstorm. Lightning can be dangerous!
Nancy Newell/Moment/Getty Images
Where do thunderstorms happen?
Thunderstorms happen all over the world. Every minute, there is a thunderstorm happening somewhere in the world.
Some places get more storms than others. In the United States, Florida is the state with the most thunderstorms. The middle of the country also gets many storms.
Some places get more storms than others. In the United States, Florida is the state with the most thunderstorms. The middle of the country also gets many storms.
Thunderstorms bring plenty of rain. This rain may cause
your town to flood.
Ryan Morgan/Shutterstock.com
What do thunderstorms look like?
Before a thunderstorm, the clouds look dark and heavy. The clouds block the sunlight. It gets windy.
During a thunderstorm, rain falls and lightning strikes. Lightning is full of energy. The energy causes the air around the lightning to explode. These explosions make the “boom!” sound of thunder.
During a thunderstorm, rain falls and lightning strikes. Lightning is full of energy. The energy causes the air around the lightning to explode. These explosions make the “boom!” sound of thunder.
These big, gray clouds mean a thunderstorm is coming!
Eugene R. Thieszen/Shutterstock.com
Why do thunderstorms happen?
Thunderstorms happen when the air is warm and wet.
Many thunderstorms happen in spring or summer. They start in the afternoon.
Many thunderstorms happen in spring or summer. They start in the afternoon.
Fun facts about thunderstorms
Most thunderstorms last for less than an hour.
Some thunderstorms bring strong winds, tornadoes, or hail. Hail is when ice falls from the sky!
Some thunderstorms bring strong winds, tornadoes, or hail. Hail is when ice falls from the sky!
Thunderstorms can be good. They bring rain to help plants
grow.
dlerick/E+/Getty Images
Article Citation in MLA (Modern Language Association) Ninth Edition format:
"Thunderstorms." Report Builder, Gareth Stevens Publishing, garethreportbuilder.com/article/504/thunderstorms. Accessed 4 Nov 2025.
