What are the benefits of thunderstorms?

In: Thunderstorms and Lightning, Earth Sciences, Environmental Issues

There are many benefits from thunderstorms:

Thunderstorms are a direct result of atmospheric heating and increased air convection. Thunderstorms and also hurricanes are a primary cooling mechanism for the earth
Thunderstorms provide water to vegetation and also to lakes and reservoirs. Storms provide about 50 percent of the rainfall to the eastern United States, and 70 percent to the western US.
Storm winds distribute seeds and pollen, and help remove old and weak vegetation and so make way for new growth
Lightning strikes liberate nitrates which fertilize the soil. Lightning produces about 20 percent of the nitrogen to the soil per year, about 250,000 tons of nitrogen to the whole earth every year
Additionally, the updrafts and other wind effects remove large amounts of pollution, transporting it aloft, as well as storm rainfall washing pollution out of the air

First answer by ID1161969852. Last edit by Tigr. Contributor trust: 1035 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 45 [recommend question]

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