Thunderstorms!
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Thunderstorm development occurs when the atmosphere can support rapid cloud development. Use the computer mouse to drag the temperature (red line) and dewpoint temperature (blue line) to simulate different conditions and grow your own thunderstorm.

Drag the blue (dew point) squares or red (temperature) squares from this sounding to change the stability of the atmosphere.

If the temperature and dew point overlap, start your drag a little to the left to change the dew point, or a little to the right to adjust the temperature. Remember, the dew point value cannot be higher than the temperature!

The purple line that appears after you change a temperature or dew point shows the temperature that a "parcel of air" lifted from the surface would have. The single square on this line is the Lifting Condensation Level where the air would become saturated and a cloud might form.

Go BACK to Explore the Atmsophere!