Lightning is an intriguing weather phenomenon. It is beautiful, yet powerful and dangerous at the same time. Lightning is associated with thunderstorms and therefore occurs everywhere they do. It is important to understand and respect the nature of lightning and to stay safe when storms approach to avoid being struck by lightning.
Lightning is a type of electrical current produced by thunderstorms. Water and ice particles in the cloud constantly collide with one another. These collisions form electric charges. Within clouds there are areas of positive and negative charges. Typically, the positive charges form towards the top of the cloud and negative charges form near the bottom of the cloud. Because opposites attract, the negative charges on the bottom of the cloud cause positive charges on the ground to build up. Those positive charges get concentrated on tall objects such as mountains, trees, buildings, and sometimes people. When the positive charges from the ground reach up and meet the negative charges reaching down from the cloud, the result is lightning. Lightning can also form within a single cloud or between clouds.
Lightning Basics
A Lightning Primer: Characteristics of a Storm
Lightning
Lightning: The Whys and Wherefores of Nature’s Fireworks
How Lightning Works
Kids’ Lightning Information and Safety
Lightning is similar to the static electric shock one can get after walking on a carpet and then touching a piece of metal or rubbing a balloon through the hair and then touching a metal object. The difference is that lightning is a lot more powerful and therefore a lot more dangerous. Feeling your hair stand on end or tingling on your skin is an indication that a lightning strike nearby is possible. To determine how far away the actual storm is count the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder. Take the number of seconds counted and divide by five. This tells you how many miles away the storm is from you.
Thunderstorms and lightning can happen anywhere in the world. In the US, the state of Florida receives the most lightning strikes. Around the world, countries located near the equator receive the majority of lightning strikes. Lightning strikes are the cause of many fires every year.
Interesting Facts, Myths, and General Information About Lightning
Watch Out...Lightning Ahead
Survivor Stories
Questions and Answers About Lightning and Thunder
Lightning: Just for Kids
If a storm is coming, seek shelter immediately. Appropriate shelters include houses, other buildings, and cars. The safest bet is to go someplace inside. If you are stuck outside, stay away from trees, bodies of water, and metallic objects such as fences and bikes. If you are outside and with other people put several feet of space between you and the other people. When inside during a storm avoid using appliances, the telephone, computer, taking a bath or shower, washing hands, or doing dishes. Water conducts electricity and could cause you to be struck by lightning, and phone and computer lines on the outside of the house or building could get hit and cause you to be struck also.
Lightning Safety
Lightning Safety by Sabrina
Thunder and Lightning Safety
Thunder and Lightning Phobias
Here are some sites that showcase the beauty and raw power of lightning in action.
Lightning: The National Severe Storms Laboratory Album
Lightning and Storms
Lightning RM Pictures
Lightning Photographs Gallery Index