How a Sunny Morning Helped Fuel Today’s Dangerous Storms
By Mary Gilbert, CNN Meteorologist
August 7, 2023 (6:33 pm ET)
Monday’s severe weather threat across the eastern United States is presenting a formidable challenge. However, many people woke up to clear or sunny skies in the morning, prompting the question of how such storms can develop later in the day.
To understand this phenomenon, we need to look at the three key ingredients required for thunderstorm formation: moisture, lift, and instability. Surprisingly, it is the heating from sunlight that fuels two of these factors.
On days when the sky is cloud-free and the sun shines brightly, its rays quickly and efficiently heat the ground. This process creates instability in the air at the surface, causing it to rise. As the air rises, it eventually reaches its saturation point – the point at which the air cools enough for rain to form. It is at this stage that a storm is born.
This combination of lift and instability is crucial for thunderstorm development. When early morning clouds largely dissipate, as was the case in Washington, DC, on Monday, the abundant sunshine reaches the surface and adds to the already present instability. This sets the stage for the formation of dangerous storms.
Once a storm forms, it can further strengthen under the right conditions and become severe. Severe thunderstorms have the potential to unleash damaging wind gusts, large hail, and even tornadoes.
It is important to note that thunderstorms can rapidly transform a seemingly pleasant morning into a dangerous situation. Given enough instability, lift, and moisture, the weather can quickly turn treacherous.
As we navigate this severe weather threat, it is crucial to stay informed and prepared. Stay tuned to local weather updates and be ready to take necessary precautions when severe weather warnings are issued.