Thunderstorms – a typical summer phenomenon
The thunderstorm season usually begins around May and ends in September, with the summer months of June, July and August bringing by far the most thunderstorms.
The vertical temperature gradients are a key element for thunderstorms. If the atmosphere is stably layer, no convection can occur, which prevents thunderstorms. Late autumn and winter are practically free of thunderstorms, because in high pressure weather the atmosphere is not only stably layer, but strong inversion layers often prevail for several days. This is due to the overall negative radiation balance, especially in the lower layers of the atmosphere.
It’s different in summer. The strong sunlight heats up the air layers close to the ground, creating unstable air stratification, especially during the day. In special cases, this can lead to convection. If the atmosphere is sufficiently humid, cumulus clouds form, which can lead to thunderstorms.
Temperature gradient between Locarno-Monti
and Cimetta. The temperature gradient is significantly higher in the summer months than in winter. It should be not that these are monthly averages. During the day, the values are significantly higher and reach up to 0.8 degrees/100 meters in the summer months, especially in sunny conditions. In the open atmosphere, these gradients would be significantly higher again, because it is 1 to 2 degrees cooler there during the day than at a summit station. Nevertheless, this figure clearly shows that in summer the atmosphere is less stably layer and thunderstorms are more likely, at least in terms of instability.
Temperature gradient between Locarno-Monti and Cimetta. The temperature gradient is significantly higher in the summer months than in winter. It should be not that these are monthly averages. During the day, spain phone number library the values are significantly higher and reach up to 0.8 degrees/100 meters in the summer months, especially in sunny conditions. In the open atmosphere, these gradients would be significantly higher again, because it is 1 to 2 degrees cooler there during the day than at a summit station. Nevertheless, this figure clearly shows that in summer the atmosphere is less stable and thunderstorms are more likely, at least in terms of instability. (MeteoSwiss)
Thunderstorms are most common in southern Ticino
The frequency of thunderstorms varies in Switzerland. Thunderstorms fix “content not yet available most frequently develop in southern Ticino. There they occur in different weather conditions. On the one hand, these are low-pressure areas, but thunderstorms can also occur in southerly conditions. Here and there, northeasterly conditions also bring thunderstorms, because in adb directory southern Ticino there is a convergence between the easterly winds over the Po Valley and the northerly foehn, which prevails in northern and central Ticino.
In the case of southerly congestion, thunderstorms often contribute significantly to the high rainfall that falls in western Ticino. The daily totals, which can significantly exce 400 mm, are not always evenly distribut over 24 hours. Instead, heavy downpours can fall between individual breaks, with up to 100 mm possible within an hour.