What causes thunderstorms?

Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rises rapidly and cools, causing water vapour to condense into clouds. The condensation releases heat, further fuelling the upward movement of air. As the storm develops, strong updrafts and downdrafts create turbulence, leading to the formation of thunderclouds (cumulonimbus). Lightning occurs when electrical charges build up in the clouds, while thunder is the sound of rapidly expanding air heated by lightning. These storms often bring heavy rain, hail, and high winds, and they are most common in regions with frequent warm air masses.