Hail sometimes accompanies thunderstorms.
Lightning is a discharge of atmospheric electricity that is triggered by the accumulation of different charges within a cloud. The result is a sudden release of energy that causes a characteristic bright flash, followed by thunder. Lightning is most common in the equatorial regions of the world, although it can potentially strike anywhere and appear in a variety of forms depending on atmospheric conditions.
Positive rays emanate from the ground and are extremely dangerous.
There are several competing theories to explain why different electrical charges appear in the clouds, although scientists suspect this could be related to the presence of ice crystals. Typically, the bottom of a cloud becomes negatively charged and sends out what is known as a “leader” that seeks out a positive charge, either in another cloud or on the ground. As the leader approaches a positively charged area, a positively charged streamer emerges, meets the leader, seals the connection, and generates lightning.
Those unable to enter during a thunderstorm should crouch low to the ground to avoid being hit.
After the lightning strikes the ground or another cloud, it can strike back multiple times in a fraction of a second. These new attacks are so fast that people cannot register them with the naked eye; instead, they appear as a single hit. The electricity moves so fast that it superheats the surrounding air, causing a sudden rapid expansion that creates a shock wave. Shock waves are responsible for thunder; Because thunder is closely associated with lightning, some people try to gauge the distance of a thunderstorm by counting the time between the strike and the thunder.
Most lightning travels from cloud to cloud or from cloud to ground. However, in rare circumstances, the charges will reverse and lightning will emanate from the ground. This is known as “positive lightning” and is rare and extremely dangerous. It is often triggered by human activities, such as the blast off of a rocket or the detonation of a nuclear device.
Many people associate the classic jagged streaks in the sky with lightning, but they can also appear in bursts known as lightning, or they can reflect off clouds, forming lightning. Some people may also be familiar with ball lightning, an unusual manifestation that is rarely seen.
An individual who is outside during a storm and unable to shelter in the car or house must shrink their body, becoming a small target, with only their feet touching the ground. People who are indoors should stay away from telephones and pipes, as lightning can sometimes travel through telephone wires or plumbing systems.