What Causes Lightning?

Have you ever asked yourself, what causes lightning? This is what some scientists believe causes lightning. In thunderstorms, large fields of electricity are built up in the clouds when liquid and small ice particles reach freezing and collide. When these fields are large enough, a huge spark happens between them (static electricity) lessening the charge separation. A spark of lightning can happen between clouds, between the cloud and the ground or between a cloud and air.



In the United States more than a 100 people die each year and approximately 250 people are injured from lightning strikes. Florida has more cases of lightning strikes than any other part of the United States due to the numerous thunderstorms that occur there each year.

Thunderstorms can occur without much warning. Skies could be blue one moment and then a big black thunderhead could come up suddenly bringing rain, wind and lightning.

Lightning Facts

Lightning strikes about one hundred times per second somewhere on the earth which is approximately three billion times per year.

Lightning can strike miles away from a thunderstorm. If you see dark heavy clouds in the distance find shelter. Even though it seems far away and your feel safe be aware that lightning could strike. Here are some tips to keep you safe if you are outdoors during a lightning storm.

Get away from things that are prone to attract bolts of lightning:

• Metal objects (including fences, pipes, rails, vehicles etc.)
  
  
• Open bodies of water
  
  
• Areas with large groups of people
  
  
• Trees
  
  
• Telephone poles

It's not a good idea to stand on a hill or at the highest point of an area. Seek the lowest area you can find such as a valley or a ravine. Lightning will hit the tallest point, so make sure you are not the tallest point.

If you find yourself in an open field without shelter when a lightning storm approaches, get on your knees, bend forward and put your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground. If your hair feels like it is standing on end, be very cautious because this is a warning signal that lightning might be targeting you.

What do you do if there is a lightning injury.

If someone is struck by lightning, call 9-1-1. Touching the victim will not give you an electrical shock. Immediately administer CPR if there is no pulse or the victim is not breathing. Be aware that the victim may have been burned from the electrical strike especially if they were wearing any metal objects, such as watches, jewelry or buckles. Stay with the victim until trained emergency personnel has arrived.

Types of Lightning

• Small bolts of lightning average about 30 thousand amps.
  
  
• Extreme lightning can be as much as 300 thousand amps or up to two million volts of electricity.
  
  
• Ball lightning, which is extremely rare and is the size of a basketball that looks like a floating sphere. Ball lightning is not known to be dangerous.

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