🌩️
Cloud With Lightning
klaʊd wɪð ˈlaɪtnɪŋ
Definitions
1
Weather · Natural Phenomena
Common
Represents a thundercloud with lightning, indicating a thunderstorm, severe weather conditions, or electrical storms. Used to convey actual weather events or metaphorical turbulence.
Commonly used in weather discussions, to warn others about storms, or metaphorically to represent trouble, danger, or intense situations.
Better bring an umbrella today 🌩️
Weather warning in text message
The meeting with the boss was 🌩️ but we survived!
Social media post about tense situation
Beyond literal weather reporting, often serves as a warning symbol or represents emotional turbulence, creative energy, or sudden inspiration.
2
Metaphorical · Emotions
Common
Symbolizes emotional intensity, sudden inspiration, brewing conflict, or turbulent situations. Represents the concept of powerful, electric energy or sudden change.
Used metaphorically to indicate tension, brewing conflicts, creative breakthroughs, or sudden revelations.
Had a 🌩️ of inspiration for my new project!
Creative discussion on social media
In digital communication, has evolved beyond weather to represent moments of brilliance, warning of trouble, or describing volatile emotional states.
Cultural Context
Frequently used in weather apps and forecasting services as a universal symbol for thunderstorms, transcending language barriers in digital communication.
Often paired with idiomatic expressions like 'brewing storm,' 'lightning strike of inspiration,' or 'thunderous argument' to enhance metaphorical meaning.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
More commonly used metaphorically than literally, often to describe tense social or political situations, or to comment on the typical British weather complaints.
United States
Often used literally during severe weather season, with specific cultural resonance in tornado-prone regions. Metaphorical usage is common in creative contexts.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: More likely to use literally for weather warnings or reports. Metaphorical usage typically limited to clear contexts.
Gen_Z: Often used metaphorically for dramatic effect in stories or to describe tense situations. Frequently appears in TikTok weather-related content.
Older: Primarily used in literal weather contexts or avoided due to unfamiliarity with emoji metaphorical extensions.
Millennials: Commonly used both literally for weather updates and metaphorically in work contexts to describe challenging situations or moments of inspiration.
Common Combinations
🌩️⚡
Intense thunderstorm or electrical storm with multiple lightning strikes.
Emphasizes severity of weather conditions or metaphorically indicates a particularly volatile situation.
🌩️🌧️
Thunderstorm with heavy rain, indicating severe weather conditions.
Used in weather forecasts or to warn others about dangerous weather conditions.
🌩️💡
Sudden inspiration or brilliant idea that comes like a flash of lightning.
Creative metaphor used by artists, writers, and innovators to describe moments of insight.
Related Emojis
⚡
Lightning bolt without cloud, represents pure electrical energy or power.
🌨️
Another severe weather condition, often used in weather forecasts alongside thunderstorm emoji.
☔
Related weather protection, often used in response to thunderstorm warnings.
💡
Metaphorically connected through concept of sudden illumination or inspiration.