Is it possible to get a thunderstorm without ice present in the cloud?

Question

It is well known that ice crystals need to be present in storm clouds to produce lightning; however, years ago I read about what were called "Warm Thunderstorms" that form over tropical rain forests, that contain NO ice crystals in the clouds. I have never read anything about them since, and I can't find anything on the Internet about it. Does anyone know anything about this rare phenomenon and what makes it possible?

Answer 1

No;ice particles are required to produce the potential differences which produce elctricity leading to thunder storms.The main difference between a cumulus cloud and the cumuloninmbus cloud(which produces the thunderstorm) is the absence of ice in the cumulus cloud which does not usually grow beyond the freezing level;but cumulus cloud may become a cumulonimbus cloud if the convection current is strong.