Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm is a weather condition which takes place randomly during some rain- or snowfalls. All changes from these weathers apply, but since lightning occurs and the light level falls below 7, thunderstorms are distinct. Even in the middle of the daytime, hostile mobs will be able to spawn. However, far fewer mobs will spawn relative to night since it is just barely dark enough for them to spawn.

Lightning is a lethal element to the storm. It strikes randomly across the map, creating brief fires. While most are put out almost immediately by the rain, it will once in awhile ignite wood and other flammable blocks successfully. Lightning striking uses the same sound as TNT or a Creeper exploding.



Effects

 * Thunderstorms are much darker than normal rain, at light level 7 or less. This is dark enough to spawn hostile mobs.
 * Lightning creates fire where it strikes. The accompanying rain can usually put out fires before they spread. Overhangs can prevent rain from putting out lightning fires, causing the fire to spread.
 * If Lightning strikes a pig, it morphs into a zombie pigman.
 * If lightning strikes a creeper, it becomes supercharged and has a much more powerful explosion.
 * Being struck by lightning or standing near a lightning strike deals two and a half hearts of damage, not including damage from the fire. The player's screen will also shake.
 * If lightning hits a sheep, the sheep will not be sheared, but will take damage.
 * If lightning manages to strike a portal frame, it will activate the portal.
 * The player can sleep in a bed during a lightning storm when it's dark enough, regardless of the time of day. (Possibly a feature, associated with the fact that we are more tired during thunderstorms.)
 * If lightning strikes a boat, the boat will disappear without dropping anything, as opposed to two sticks and three planks.
 * Lightning that strikes floating sand or gravel will cause it to fall.

Trivia

 * Lightning, unlike other weather, does not have an image file associated with it. Thus, it is likely coded directly into the game engine, which would make sense, since lightning is a uniform color, and direct coding would allow for a more dynamic bolt animation.
 * Lightning does not cause damage to Zombie Pigmen.
 * Lightning can go directly through blocks to hit the ground.