Thunderstorms

The Weather Network says “Thunderstorms are caused by a combination of warm, moist air rising rapidly, which cools and condenses to form clouds. This process creates instability in the atmosphere, leading to the development of storm clouds. As these clouds grow, they can produce lightning, thunder, and heavy rainfall.”

So the heat of summer brings on most of our summer storms, but sometimes “elevated” thunderstorms can occur on the cold side of weather fronts. So on the odd occasion you might notice a thunderstorm on a cooler day (which seems abnormal to us). Enough with the science of the thing, lets tell our story.

I remember when I was a kid my Dad was driving the team hitched to the hay rack and we were headed down into the east coulee on a narrow trail. As we descended, I remember the sound of the wagon going over that rocky trail. It sounded like the rumble of thunder in the distance. So as an adult, sometimes when I hear thunder, I think of my Dad and that rack and that trail.

I respect it, they say if you can hear thunder, you shouldn’t be outside because where there’s thunder, there’s lightning even if you can’t see it yet. How many times have I saddled up to check cows or fence lines and turned around and come back to the barn after hearing thunder.

We’ve been having our fair share of thunderstorms already this summer. At a distance, a storm cloud may appear as little more than a grey smudge, and a promise of rain. But as it approaches, the leading edge is generally huge and sharply defined. The purple and blue bruised looking coloration creates a curtain of darkness with ragged edges. Along its flanks, smaller clouds sail by whipped by turbulent winds. The dark massive cloud rolls upwards. Lightning flashes a violet light that fractures the darkness, and the distant rumble of thunder is heard. On the ground the air grows heavy and still as if the world itself holds its breath. I know by this time, I’m holding mine.

The rain begins as a gentle patter, but soon it turns into a full-blown downpour. Lightning is closer now, splitting the sky in brilliant long streaks, and the thunder booms loud enough to startle every living creature including me as it vibrates on the ground and shakes the walls of my house. Eventually, the banging and the booming stops and now we experience the gentle washing of the world clean with rain. A peacefulness engulfs us as we inhale the earth refreshed.

I love thunderstorms that end this easy. Of course, I could tell you other stories with not such happy endings, but that will be another day and another story. I’d love to hear yours.