Keraunophilia is a little-known kink in which people experience sexual arousal from thunderstorms — and it extends beyond the thunder itself to the entire sensory experience of a storm, including lightning strikes, heavy rain, the sound of wind, and the atmosphere of being caught in a storm.
What the Research Shows
New research from Pour Moi found that 37 per cent of Brits believe stormy weather increases their sexual desire, while more than 53 per cent agree that dark, rainy evenings make them feel more in the mood.
These sentiments have been echoed on social media, with people claiming it's the 'wild' and 'exciting' nature of storms that does it for them. One person shared anonymously on Reddit: 'I just realised how crazy turned on I get about thunderstorms. It's definitely a thing for me […] something about the way the wild weather is like mirroring the passion of sex.'
They added: 'I've always loved thunderstorms regardless of sexual connotation. They just make me feel buzzing and alive and excited.'
Personal Accounts and Expert Insight
Another posted: 'I get so frisky during a thunderstorm! My favorite part is right before it starts raining, when you stand outside and see the grey clouds coming and the wind blowing strongly around you. I love the sound of the thunder and watching the lightning.'
Someone else commented: 'It's like an electric excitement; I get hyper and giddy, and sometimes I get horny too.' For others, the appeal lies in being 'trapped' inside with a partner. One person wrote: 'I love thunderstorms, and they turn me on thinking about them and being trapped inside with a willing partner. I'd definitely say I have an appreciation for them.'
Sex and relationships psychotherapist Gigi Engle tells Metro that there are several key reasons why storms might have this effect. The most obvious, she says, is the sensory component: 'Thunder is loud, visceral and quite unpredictable; lightning is dramatic (especially visually), and rain creates a constant background sound (like white noise, which can be hot). All of these things can produce a heightened state of physiological arousal.'
Gigi believes the mix of excitement and fear that thunderstorms stir may also play a role. 'A thunderstorm can create a very particular kind of emotional response. You might feel safe inside, while simultaneously being aware something powerful and unpredictable (even scary) is happening outside. Research into sexual response suggests emotional mixed states can sometimes be associated with increased arousal and desire, so that combination of anticipation, excitement, and adrenaline may be part of the appeal for some.'
Being forced to stay inside can also bring people closer together. 'Storms often change what we're doing. Our plans get cancelled, people stay indoors, the lights may be dimmed or knocked out, and the outside world suddenly feels quite far away. If you're already with someone you're attracted to, being stuck inside with nowhere to go and nothing demanding your attention can create a natural sense of intimacy and anticipation.' She adds: 'Sexual desire is also responsive to context and stimuli rather than simply appearing spontaneously, so changing the environment can change the way people experience desire.'
Exploring the Kink Safely
For those who experience Keraunophilia, there are plenty of ways to explore this safely. According to Gigi, the psychological and sensory ingredients can be recreated quite easily while everyone remains completely safe. 'It's actually a pretty accessible one and far from unusual.'
To give it a go, she recommends watching storms from a safe indoor location and incorporating the sounds or atmosphere into consensual sexual play. In the UK, thunderstorms are relatively rare — the Royal Meteorological Society notes the UK has between 5 and 20 days of thunder per year — but you don't have to wait for wild weather. If there isn't a storm, you could always try playing recordings of thunder or rain during sex.
