How does latent heat energy increase the strength of a thunderstorm?

Question

how does latent heat energy increase the strength of a thunderstorm???

Answer 1

When warm and moist air ascends,it expands and cools.As cold air cannot hold much moisture,the excess moisture(water vapour) condenses into water droplets and clouds form.If there is a steep lapse rate and a lifting mechanism with moisture to a considerable height,large scale convection starts and thunderclouds form.As water vapour becomes water droplets,it is a change of state from a higher level to a lower level and hence energy(heat) is released.This is the latent heat of condenstion which feeds the thunderstorm.

Answer 2

Nice try.

Energy is energy, it doesn't get destroyed.  The latent heat energy is converted into kinetic energy which means the water droplet is moving faster than the original water vapor.

NOT!