Lightning

Lightning is a <a href="/facts/Natural_phenomenon/cTrJM1j8">natural phenomenon</a> consisting of <a href="/facts/Electrostatic_discharge/I55BBYfS">electrostatic discharges</a> occurring through the <a href="/facts/Atmosphere/oUpLaGRF">atmosphere</a> between two <a href="/facts/Electrically_charged/xxsBfmlB">electrically charged</a> regions. One or both regions are within the atmosphere, with the second region sometimes occurring on the <a href="/facts/Land/sYfevlh5">ground</a>. Following the lightning, the regions become partially or wholly electrically neutralized.
Lightning involves a near-instantaneous release of <a href="/facts/Energy/wd8PrQM7">energy</a> on a scale averaging between 200 <a href="/facts/Megajoule/9ndq9jD2">megajoules</a> and 7 gigajoules. The air around the lightning flash rapidly heats to temperatures of about 30,000 °C (54,000 °F). There is an emission of <a href="/facts/Electromagnetic_radiation/Ynx7ujCW">electromagnetic radiation</a> across a wide range of wavelengths, some visible as a bright flash. Lightning also causes <a href="/facts/Thunder/maTSnAY5">thunder</a>, a sound from the <a href="/facts/Shock_wave/CqrG1Xm5">shock wave</a> which develops as heated gases in the vicinity of the discharge experience a sudden increase in pressure.
The most common occurrence of a lightning event is known as a <a href="/facts/Thunderstorm/F6hUzuAu">thunderstorm</a>, though they can also commonly occur in other types of energetic <a href="/facts/Weather/f0qzFRVV">weather</a> systems, such as <a href="/facts/Volcano_lightning/ToHPtEjU">volcanic eruptions</a>. Lightning influences the <a href="/facts/Global_atmospheric_electrical_circuit/yzCg5YdR">global atmospheric electrical circuit</a> and <a href="/facts/Atmospheric_chemistry/EbmISm33">atmospheric chemistry</a> and is a natural ignition source of <a href="/facts/Wildfires/LU3797A0">wildfires</a>. Lightning is considered an <a href="/facts/Global_Climate_Observing_System/fse2X9uq">Essential Climate Variable</a> by the <a href="/facts/World_Meteorological_Organisation/NWrDcKbl">World Meteorological Organisation</a>, and its scientific study is called fulminology.

Lightning open-in-new

Lightning