Thunder and lightning without rain is a phenomenon known as a dry thunderstorm. In a dry thunderstorm, thunder and lightning occur, but rain does not reach the ground because it evaporates in the dry air before hitting the surface. This happens when the clouds produce rain, but the lower layers of the atmosphere are too dry or warm, causing the precipitation to evaporate completely during its descent. The lightning generates thunder as usual, since thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion of heated air around a lightning bolt. Dry thunderstorms are common in dry or desert regions, especially in summer when the air near the ground is hot and dry. They pose dangers such as starting wildfires because lightning can strike while no rain is available to moisten the vegetation. Additionally, dry thunderstorms can produce strong wind gusts as cooled air from evaporating rain descends rapidly, sometimes causing dust storms. In summary, thunder and lightning without rain occur in dry thunderstorm conditions where precipitation evaporates before reaching the ground, but electrical activity and thunder remain present.
