You need the Flash Player version 8.0.0.0 or higher and a JavaScript enabled browser to view this site

Forces of Nature: Thunderstorms

Related Article: Learn more about thunder.

The central United States sees many violent summer thunderstorms where cold air meets warm air along a cold front. The warm air mass rises and cools, creating clouds.

browse videos in climate & weather

How Water Works (1:55)

There are over 300 million trillion gallons of water on earth. To learn more about water and it's amazing properties, check out this HowStuffWorks video.

Discovery Wonders of Weather: Lightning Phenomena (5:05)

Lightning will strike anything that stands high above the ground. Trees are a favorite target. Watch a lightening video at HowStuffWorks.

Lightning (1:57)

What are the odds you will be struck be lightning?

Ozone Engineering (4:14)

Watch this video about ozone engineering on HowStuffWorks. Ozone is a natural blue gas, and as the second most powerful oxidant on Earth, it can help destroy harmful microorganisms. See how Pacific Ozone works in this video from World Business... More »

Freak Weather Causes Tragedies (1:06)

Watch this video about weird weather on HowStuffWorks. Extreme weather has been causing death and destruction around the world. Near the Xinjiang province of China, high winds brought disaster, blowing 10 carriages off the tracks, leaving three... More »

recently added

Lightning (1:57)

What are the odds you will be struck be lightning?

What Are the Odds? Lightning (1:56)

What are the odds you will be struck by lightning? Learn more about odds in this video.

How Water Works (1:55)

There are over 300 million trillion gallons of water on earth. To learn more about water and it's amazing properties, check out this HowStuffWorks video.