Why Thunderstorms Make Some People Sleep Better

Many people sleep better during thunderstorms. Something about the steady rain punctuated by distant rumblings allows them to fall asleep faster than their usual bedtime routine ever could. This, it appears, is fairly common. But why? Is there a scientific explanation? The answer may surprise you.

The Storm Sleep Connection

To many people, the sounds of a thunderstorm make perfect sleeping weather. That rhythmic rain creates a form of natural white noise - a constant audio background that masks intrusive sounds that would otherwise awaken them. The brain interprets that steady pattern as a signal that there are no immediate dangers or surprises near and for which to stay on watch.

Steady background sound, as stated in a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, can easily drown out disruptive environmental sounds and improve sleep quality for many individuals. Dr. Mathias Basner, a professor of sleep and chronobiology at the University of Pennsylvania, clarifies that "continuous noise, like rain, can mask unpredictable sounds that might otherwise wake you up" (1).