Definition

1. Noun:
   • A short rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning: A "thundershower" is a brief period of rain, often heavy, that occurs during a thunderstorm. It is characterized by the presence of thunder and lightning.

Usage

• The word "thundershower" is used to describe a specific type of weather event. It emphasizes the combination of precipitation (rain) and the electrical activity of a thunderstorm (thunder and lightning), typically implying the event is of short duration.
• It is commonly used in weather forecasts and general descriptions of summer weather.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The forecast calls for isolated thundershowers this afternoon.
  • We got caught in a sudden thundershower while hiking.
  • The brief thundershower cooled the air but left everything humid.

Advanced Usage

• "Scattered thundershowers": A common meteorological term indicating that thundershowers are expected to occur in some, but not all, areas within a region.
  • The weather map shows a risk of scattered thundershowers across the state.
• "Pop-up thundershower": An informal term for a thundershower that develops quickly and locally, often on a hot summer day.
  • A pop-up thundershower forced the outdoor concert to be delayed.

Variants and Related Words

• Thunderstorm (n): A storm characterized by thunder and lightning, which may include heavy rain, strong winds, and sometimes hail. A "thundershower" is a type of brief thunderstorm focused on the rainfall.
• Downpour (n): A heavy fall of rain. A thundershower is often a downpour.
• Rain shower (n): A brief period of rain. A thundershower is specifically a rain shower with thunder and lightning.

Synonyms

• Thunderstorm (when emphasizing the brief, rainy nature)
• Electrical storm (emphasizes the lightning)
• Rainstorm (a more general term for a storm with rain)

Related Phrases

• To be caught in a thundershower: To be unexpectedly exposed to a thundershower.
  • We were caught in a thundershower without our umbrellas.
• Thundershower activity: A term used in weather reporting to indicate the occurrence or likelihood of thundershowers.
  • Thundershower activity is expected to increase after 2 PM.

Noun

1. a short rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning