Thunderstorms and Lightning

A hot air mass that forms over land is called a continental air mass.

Most deaths from lightning occur during the months of June, July, and August when thunderstorms are most frequent in many parts of the world. Additionally, deaths are more common in the afternoon and early evening when people are more likely to be outdoors.

Since lightning is an electrical current, normally in a thunderstorm, little pieces of ice way up in the cloud collide together fast and hard, making an electrical charge, which then eventually makes an electrical current that is known as lightning.

The four stages of a thunderstorm are: 1) cumulus stage - where warm air rises and forms cumulus clouds, 2) mature stage - characterized by heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds, 3) dissipating stage - when the storm starts to weaken, and 4) outflow stage - where cool air spreads out from the storm and can trigger new thunderstorms.

no, it is an electrical phenomenon associated with extreme weather

In most cases the "fuel" for thunderstorms, including the ones that produce tornadoes is warm moist air.

Such air is more common in spring than winter. The cold air more common in winter usually does not have enough energy to produce severe thunderstorms.

1. Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rises rapidly in an unstable atmosphere.
2. Lightning is a common feature of thunderstorms, caused by electrical discharges between clouds or between clouds and the ground.
3. Thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion of air around a lightning bolt.
4. Hail can be produced in severe thunderstorms when strong updrafts carry raindrops high into the atmosphere where they freeze.
5. Thunderstorms can also produce strong winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes.
6. Thunderstorms can form in a variety of climates, but are most common in tropical regions.
7. Supercell thunderstorms are the most dangerous type, capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
8. Thunderstorms are typically short-lived, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
9. Thunderstorm frequency and intensity can vary based on the time of year and geographic location.
10. Meteorologists use radar and satellite data to track and predict the formation and movement of thunderstorms.

I'm not aware of anything that can be done to prevent or reduce the amount of lightning in a storm, and I doubt much success at all could have had with that given the physics of it. All that can be done is make things safer on the ground - keep people safer and keep electronics more out of the way.

The Viking associated with causing thunder and lightning was Thor. In Norse mythology, Thor was the god of thunder and the protector of mankind. He was known for carrying a mighty hammer called Mjölnir, which he would use to create thunderclaps and lightning bolts.

The heroes with thunder-related powers include Thor from Marvel Comics, Raiden from Mortal Kombat, and Zeus from Greek mythology. These characters possess abilities related to thunder and lightning that they use to fight villains and protect their realms.

Carrying an umbrella does not increase your chances of being struck by lightning. The myth may have originated due to the fact that a metal-tipped umbrella could potentially attract lightning but, in reality, the metal in modern umbrellas is not likely to significantly increase the risk of being struck. It is more important to seek proper shelter during a thunderstorm.

> No lightning can hit a building affecting the lighting that comes from the fan > or can short circuit the house but not directly hit a ceiling fan.

> Answered by SMCherry originally.

I disagree with SMCherry on this. I do agree that it is highly unlikely a direct strike on a ceiling fan will occur though it is not impossible. Any electrical circuit connected to earth ground could be the target of a strike.

I do agree with SMCHerry that generally appliances in homes are damaged by the massive electrical surge caused when a lightning strike hits a near by a home such as an external power line, not by a direct hit to the appliance itself.

It was originally thought that even electrical supply lines buried deep in the ground were immune from lightning strikes. The theory was that the earth would dissipate the energy before contacting the power lines and therefore not effect the buried power lines.

Testing has proven this theory to be incorrect. Power lines buried in the ground and even encased in conduit (metal pipes used to protect the wiring) have been obliterated by the massive energy released by lightning.

Lightning does take the quickest easiest path to ground and a strike on a home near a ceiling fan is most likely to find alternate paths to ground first prior to coming into contact with the fan. However lightning can generate gigawatts of energy - for the non technical out there that's one hell-a-va lot of power and strikes seldom take a single path to ground. Simply watch any video of lightning strikes and you will see many strikes/paths in one discharge. See the related link for an example.

Yes, an anvil-shaped top on a thunderstorm is often a sign of a mature or intense storm. This characteristic shape indicates that the storm is rising high into the atmosphere and encountering stable air at higher altitudes, causing the cloud to spread out horizontally.

When lightning strikes grass, the electrical current from the lightning can cause the grass to catch fire. The intense heat can lead to a fire starting at the point of contact with the grass and potentially spreading to surrounding vegetation if not extinguished quickly. Additionally, the rapid expansion of air around the strike can also cause damage to the roots and surrounding soil of the grass.

When lightning strikes next to you, you may experience a sudden loud boom, intense brightness, and feel a strong electric shock if you are close enough to the strike. It can also cause temporary hearing loss, burns, and even cardiac arrest in severe cases. It's important to seek shelter indoors and avoid being close to tall objects during a lightning storm to reduce the risk of being struck.

Kansas experiences an average of about 50-60 days of thunderstorms per year, with peak activity typically occurring in the spring and summer months. Thunderstorms are a common weather phenomenon in the region due to its geography and climate patterns.

The safest place to be during a lightning storm while hiking is inside a substantial building with wiring and plumbing, as these can act as a pathway for lightning to bypass you. If no buildings are available, seek shelter in a hard-topped metal vehicle with the windows rolled up. Avoid open spaces, tall objects, bodies of water, and isolated trees, as they increase the risk of being struck by lightning.

Africa is the continent with the most lightning activity, particularly in the region known as the African Lightning Belt which spans from Central Africa to the south-eastern coast. The Congo Basin in Central Africa has the highest lightning activity in the world.

You should not be next to any trees or metal. Trees are often struck by lightning and catch on fire easily . Anything metal attracts the lightning as well. When you are outside during lightning try to not go by anything metal or trees as if stay in a more open space. It could be very dangerous if your outside during a lightning storm .

A lightning bolt typically lasts for about 0.2 seconds, but can vary in duration depending on the specific conditions and characteristics of the lightning strike. Lightning appears to be brief to the human eye due to its rapid nature.

The second stage during a thunderstorm is the mature stage. During this stage, updrafts continue to strengthen, causing the storm to reach its peak intensity, with heavy rainfall, strong winds, hail, lightning, and thunder.

On average, around 24 people worldwide are killed by hailstones each year. These deaths are typically due to severe head injuries caused by large hailstones during extreme weather events.

The retina is the layer of tissue in the eye responsible for turning light into the images we see. Normally light energy or particles "hits" this inside layer of the eye and you perceive light. Now, if the retina is physically disturbed it will also cause these nerve cells to fire. Being poked in the eye may cause a flash of colored light to be perceived. Most people who see lightning like streaks of light for no apparent reason are seeing the retina react to an internal process called vitreous detachment or traction, this is where the gel inside the eye pulls on the retina as it shrinks over time as we age, causing the apparent sparks or lightning-like flashes of light. It is important to note that in rare cases the retina itself is being torn by this traction warning you that there now is a hole in the retina or worse a retinal detachment (where the retina is pulled away from the inside of the eye.) Even though rare, this is a serious condition and needs to be investigated by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Yes, technically thunder and lightning originate at the same time. However, light travels much faster than sound so even though they start simultaneously you will hear the thunder after you see the lightning unless you are very close to the bolt.

The car company symbol that features a circle with a lightning bolt through it is for Nissan, specifically their Nismo performance division.