Layers of warm, moist air rise in a strong updraft to cooler areas of the atmosphere, whereupon thunderstorms form. At that location, the updraft's moisture condenses to create imposing cumulonimbus clouds and, eventually, precipitation. Thunderstorm development requires three basic components: moisture, an unstable atmosphere, and a method to get the atmosphere moving. To create thunderstorm clouds and precipitation, moisture is required. The warm air cools and condenses as it ascends, generating tiny water droplets. When there is sufficient instability in the atmosphere, warm air rises swiftly, and the water vapor condenses quickly to form cumulonimbus clouds. Usually, it takes less than an hour for these cumulonimbus clouds to form.
