Thunderstorms are attributed to hot, wet air close to the ground combined with an unstable atmosphere. Often the resulting thunderstorms occur during afternoons — June through September — and can be as brief as a few minutes or as long as a couple of hours, but seldom longer.
Florida's lightning frequently packs a stronger charge than average — more than 45,000 amperes. Some researchers believe that Florida lightning is particularly powerful because of the tall, more highly charged storm-cloud formations. Lightning is the state's leading cause of weather-related death, and the state has the distinction of having the nation's worst record of deaths by lightning.
- Do you know how to stay safe from Florida's serious lightning? Take this quiz to determine your knowledge of this dangerous force of nature.
A tornado is more often seen in muggy weather when large thunderstorms are brewing. Often rain, hail and flashes of lightning may precede a tornado.
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