As it moves, it creates a conductive path toward the ground. The soft hail causes a negative charge build up near the middle and lower part of the storm cloud which, in turn, causes a positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the storm cloud.Įventually, when the charge difference between the negative charge in the cloud and the positive charge on the ground become large, the negative charge starts moving toward the ground. Upward winds within the cloud redistribute these particles and the charges they carry. These collisions cause very small ice crystals to lose electrons while larger particles of soft hail gain electrons. The resulting clap of thunder is the result of a shock wave created by the rapid heating and cooling of the air in the lightning channel.ĭuring a thunderstorm, winds within the thunder- storm cloud cause collision between the various precipitation particles within the storm cloud. Lightning is a rapid discharge of electrical energy in the atmosphere. That’s why the National Weather Service conducts an on-going campaign to educate people about lightning risks. Unlike other weather hazards that often involve sophisticated watches and warnings from NOAA’s National Weather Service, lightning can occur anywhere there is a thunderstorm. Lightning strikes in America kill about 50 people and injure hundreds of others each year. Lightning is one of the most underrated severe weather hazards, yet ranks as one of the top weather killers in the United States.
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