A beginner's guide to understanding what causes lightning in a thunderstorm. Highlights the major ideas while giving fun, interesting facts.

Only about one thunderstorm in a thousand produces tornadoes. Learn how tornadoes form.

Find out how hail is produced. You will discover the relationship between hail and thunderstorms.

Scholarly article which discusses the cost of lightning and thunderstorms. Provides information about the economic cost and a personal cost, as well as discusses what one can do to prevent or limit the costs of lightning.

Lake Maracaibo is the stormiest place on the planet. Thunderstorms rage above this massive body of water for up to 200 days of the year, with each ear-splitting event lasting for several hours. Graeme Anderson lists the factors that...

Meteorologist James Spann sheds light on the lifespan of tornadoes as they go from supercell thunderstorms to terrible twisters before eventually dissolving back into thin air. [4:11]

What is a sprite? Read this article to learn more and even discover how to find one. (June 10, 1999)

How is hail formed? What happens as a hailstone falls through the air? Find the answers to these questions, and see a photo of crops damaged by hail.

The Why? Files, provided by the University of Wisconsin provides a discussion of tornadoes and the environmental conditions that generate them. Includes some great pictures of the formations of the whirlwinds. Also includes a link to a...

This article explains the effects El Nino has had on different climates and natural disasters throughout the world.

"Imagine a baseball dropped from an airplane flying at 30,000 feet; imagine that baseball reaching speeds of 120 MPH as it falls to the ground; and imagine you're under it!" How does hail form? How big can it get? Read more here about...