 This study compares the maximum along-wind dynamic response of slender vertical structures subjected to thunderstorms and synoptic events using two case studies, a lighting pole and a telecommunications tower. The comparison is based on three ratios characterizing the difference between the two phenomena, reference wind speed, mean wind profile and gust response factor. Thunderstorms are found to provide the design loading condition in most cases. This article was authored by Luca Romcallo, Matteo Giamondo and Federica Tabino.