Most thunderstorms last about 30 minutes and are typically about 15 miles (24 km) in diameter. The two biggest threats associated with most thunderstorms are lightning and flash floods. To understand why thunderstorms occur more often during the warm months requires some understanding of thunderstorm basics.

In Florida, thunderstorms typically do not last all day; instead, they follow a predictable diurnal cycle driven by solar heating and sea breezes. During the rainy season (roughly May to October), the sun heats the peninsula quickly, causing moist air to rise and collide with cooler air from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This results in intense, localized thunderstorms that usually develop in the mid-to-late afternoon (between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM). While these storms can be very violent, featuring heavy downpours and frequent lightning, they are often brief, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours before moving on or dissipating as the land cools. It is rare for a single storm to sit over one area all day unless it is associated with a larger tropical system or a slow-moving cold front. For tourists and residents, this means that even if the forecast shows a 100% chance of rain, you can usually expect several hours of bright sunshine before or after the daily "afternoon shower," allowing for plenty of outdoor activity if you plan around the typical storm window.