In Houston and the surrounding areas, we are used to seeing daily chances of isolated to scattered thunderstorms throughout the summer months.
DOWNLOAD TODAY: Introducing Houston’s Storm Tracker 2 weather app from KPRC: Because Mother Nature doesn’t send invitations
One of the biggest threats we continue to see with these thunderstorms, though, is lightning. But what exactly is lightning, and how does it form?
How does lightning form?
As clouds begin to form, air typically acts as an insulator between positive and negative charges, which prevents lightning from forming.
SEE ALSO: What are Shelf Clouds aka ‘Scary Looking Clouds,’ and how are they formed?
As the difference between positive and negative charges increases, the air can no longer act as an insulator. As that insulating capacity breaks down, there is a rapid discharge of electricity that we commonly refer to as lightning.
Different types of lightning
The three most common forms of lightning include cloud-to-cloud (CC), cloud-to-ground (CG), and intracloud (IC).
IC lightning is the most common form of lightning, which is caused by the difference in positive and negative charges in a single cloud.
CC lightning is caused by a difference in charges between separate clouds. The most well-known form of lightning CG, occurs when there are opposite charges between a cloud and the ground.
What is thunder?
Thunder is the sound that you hear caused by a lightning strike. When lightning strikes, it creates a path of heated air, which then expands rapidly, causing a sonic boom.
That “boom” that you here is thunder. Depending on how close you it can sound like a very loud boom or, in the distance, a small rumble. Why does thunder always come after lightning? The answer is that light travels much faster than sound. Sometimes you may see lightning in the far distance, but here no thunder.
How dangerous is lightning?
Lightning strikes can reach temperatures of up to 50,000 degrees. That’s up to 5 times hotter than the Sun! You also don’t have to be in a thunderstorm to potentially be affected by lightning, as it can potentially strike up to 10 miles from a thunderstorm. On top of being able to strike away from a thunderstorm, lightning can strike instantly.
How to stay safe
There are many ways to stay safe when there is lightning outside. Here are some tips:
- Find lower-lying areas
- Avoid water
- Avoid using metal
- Don’t use corded electronics
- Stay indoors until 30 minutes after the last thunderclap
- Avoid standing under trees
Now that you are informed about how lightning forms and some of the dangers, I hope you understand why we say, “When thunder roars, go indoors!”