Myths about thunderstorms include the Greeks believing them to be battles fought by the gods and Zeus hurling lightening bolts. The Norse believed thunderstorms happened when Thor fought Jotnar and Thor's hammer made the noise.
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Some common myths about thunderstorms include: that lightning never strikes the same place twice (it can and often does), that open windows will relieve pressure during a storm (they won't, and can actually allow more damage to occur), and that rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning (the metal roof and sides offer a path of protection, not the rubber tires).
Chaos myths There are numerous creation myths that involve chaos gods and the monsters who opposed them. The chaos myths often provided a framework to explain the creation of the world as we know it. Although we would not think of creation as a natural disaster, the great struggles that preceded creation had the potential to upset the cosmos. In Psalms, we see a fragment where God defeated the multi-headed Leviathan.
Flood myths Another natural disaster that had widespread currency in the Middle East was the Flood. This myth seems to have originated in the Sumerian culture, but has come down to us in its most complete form in the Epic of Gilgamesh and in Genesis.
In the epic of Gilgamesh, the gods had been planning to destroy the earth with a flood. One god took pity and advised Umapishtim to abandon his possessions, build a seven-tiered ship, and take with him the seed of all creatures. Umapishtim did so, and after seven days, the ark landed on a mountain and he sent forth a dove. Humanity was saved.
"Nature is the only murderer who is not convicted."
~Kazimierz Matan
"Fire and water have no mercy."
~proverb
Yes, there are several myths and misconceptions surrounding ball lightning, such as it being a form of supernatural or paranormal activity. However, scientists believe it is a natural phenomenon that occurs during thunderstorms when lightning interacts with the atmosphere. The exact mechanism behind ball lightning is still not fully understood.
Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with thunderstorms.
Not all isolated thunderstorms develop into severe thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorms are characterized by specific criteria such as strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes, which may or may not be present in isolated thunderstorms. Factors like atmospheric instability, moisture content, and wind shear can contribute to the development of severe weather conditions.
On average, only about 1-2% of thunderstorms produce tornadoes. Tornado formation is a complex process that requires specific atmospheric conditions to be met, which are not present in most thunderstorms.
Yes, there is a rating system for thunderstorms called the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale) which rates the intensity of tornadoes spawned by thunderstorms. The scale ranges from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Additionally, the Storm Prediction Center issues severe storm watches and warnings based on the potential for severe thunderstorms to occur.