Storms After Extreme Heat: What Triggered Sudden Thunderstorms Across Gujarat — And Why It’s Becoming Common

There has been a significant amount of heat throughout Gujarat over a period of days; therefore, as soon as all that good sunshine was removed from the areas surrounding Gujarat by clouds, high winds, lightning, and rain, it might have appeared like a strange and sudden change in weather. However, as more instances of extreme heat are causing more occurrences of extreme thunderstorms, it is becoming increasingly common for the two to happen close together.

What Triggered the Sudden Thunderstorms?

1) Intense Surface Heating

When ground temperatures are extremely high for several days:

-The ground heats up rapidly.

-Hot air quickly rises into the upper atmosphere (sky).

-The upper atmosphere will then become unstable.

2) Moisture From the Arabian Sea

In addition to extreme surface heat, moisture is being supplied to Gujarat from the Arabian Sea. 

Once the two masses of air (hot, dry, and moist) collide the following happens:

-Large thunderclouds form almost immediately.

-Lightning and strong winds develop.

-Large amounts of rain will occur in a very short period of time.

3) Temperature Contrast Creates Instability

The greater the temperature difference between the warm air on the ground and the cool air high in the sky creates greater the oddness in the weather. 

This will cause:

-Storm clouds are developing very quickly

-Sudden but powerful thunderstorms

-Weather to completely change in a very short period of time

Extreme Heat Is No Longer Stable

Unlike in previous years when heat waves were simply hot and dry, heat waves today are usually followed by:

-Dust storms

-Severe thunderstorms 

-Hailstorms in select parts of the state

Urban Areas Amplify Storm Intensity

The heat in cities like those in Gujarat is made worse by:

-The amount of concrete surfaces found in cities today

-The emissions from traffic and industry

-The lack of green spaces in the city

Why These Storms Feel More Violent

When pre-monsoon storms occur today, they typically have:

-More powerful wind gusts

-More frequent lightning strikes

-Localised flooding occurring within minutes of the storm

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Final Words

What happens in Gujarat during these recent thunderstorms is part of the new climate pattern, creating extreme heat and extreme instability in all parts of the globe.  Summer is no longer just hot; it is now hot and volatile and stormy, too.

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