To look up more about thunderstorms, check out your local library. Rain is a different type of weather. Sometimes there is light, brief showers, and sometimes hurricanes or monsoons could occur. Rain is formed by water from the ground. Thus, you may experience rain.
Plants is the answer.
Well, really, to plants, that's what rain is like to them. We need water, they need water. That may be why your mother waters her garden everyday that it doesn't rain. Without rain, plants will die. We would too if it weren't for water.