What factors contribute to the formation of thunderstorms?

The formation of thunderstorms is primarily influenced by sufficient water vapor and an unstable lapse rate. When there is ample moisture present in the atmosphere, it provides the necessary fuel for storm development. As this warm, moist air rises, it cools as it ascends. If the lapse rate is unstable, which means that the temperature decreases rapidly with height, it creates a favorable environment for the warm air to continue rising. This rising air can lead to the development of cumulonimbus clouds, which are characteristic of thunderstorms.

In stable air masses, air tends to resist vertical movement, which is not conducive to the development of thunderstorms. High altitude and low air pressure are atmospheric conditions that may be relevant in other meteorological contexts but do not specifically address the critical elements needed for thunderstorm formation in the same way that water vapor and an unstable lapse rate do.