re: designated "oh shite bad weather" thread | at least 5 dead in MS

I didn't see the radar or know where you were, merely speculating based on your recall of events.

Rain or hail tells you where the downdrafts are happening. Mass cannot be created or destroyed, thus rain means the humidity picked up in an updraft being dropped. Just as lightning tells you the level of instability. Lightning is an expression of energy, which is also not created or destroyed but transformed. More lightning suggests more instability, which is explained by how CAPE or instability depends on Temp gradient up a column. It represents potential lift. Lighting is a sign of the potential lift turned into practical lift.

BTW, I don't think you're dumb. You just lack the physics background I have. If you had my education, you'd be just as adept an amateur as I am. I've seen you say you're not smart enough to explain this stuff. That's false, you lack the education. There is a difference. It's important you remember that, because you can learn it.



You have a natural curiosity. Don't think you're too dumb, but just lack the knowledge. Just means you need more research and observations.