(WLUK) -- A clear, sunny morning can often transform into an afternoon of thunderstorms, due to the sun's heating effect.
When the sun shines brightly in the morning, it heats the ground, which in turn warms the air just above it. This process causes the air to become lighter and rise -- a key component for convection.
As the warm air ascends, it often carries moisture from nearby waterways and lakes, particularly after recent rain or during humid conditions. If there is sufficient moisture in the atmosphere, clouds begin to form.
As the day progresses and temperatures continue to rise, these clouds can grow taller, potentially resulting in lightning, downpours and thunder.
This phenomenon explains why storms are more likely to develop in the afternoon or evening, rather than in the morning. The sun needs time to heat the ground, lift the air and create atmospheric instability.
So, if a sunny day turns stormy by afternoon or night, the sun's role in the process is significant.