1.1 Thunderstorm formation

Thunderstorms come into existence when warm air masses containing sufficient moisture are transported to great altitudes. This transport can occur in a number of ways.

Cold front thunderstorms occur when cold air pushes under warm air and causes it to rise. As soon as the warm air rises, it cools down quickly, and when it reaches the dew point, the vapour begins to condense. They can occur at any time of the year and day and form broad storm fronts. They are the most common type of thunderstorm in Europe and Germany. Cold front thunderstorms are most intense in summer when they coincide with the warming of air masses by solar radiation in the afternoon or evening.