More heat causes the clouds to rise higher and form thunderstorms. The layer of humid air needs to reach as high as 18,000 feet to keep the storm fed with moisture. Surface winds generated by the thunderstorms meet at the center of the system and are drawn upward, strengthening the storm. High pressure above the storm pulls up the rising air and keeps the updrafts flowing. Winds blowing outside the storm must blow in the same direction or else they will tear the storm apart.
Some crew members bring frozen pizza to cook in the plane's microwave.
When the plane flies at low altitudes in hot, humid air, cold air streams out of the air-conditioning vents in white clouds. Seats run along the side of the fuselage. They're made of criss-crossed webbing that looks like your car's seat belts. Click here for the bigger picture . And forget about polite, quiet conversation.