ORLANDO, Fla. – Lightning is one of nature’s most electrifying spectacles—literally.
According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms form when key ingredients—moisture, instability and lift—come together high in the atmosphere. Inside these storms, countless collisions between ice, graupel and water droplets create powerful electrical charges. As lighter ice particles become positively charged and heavier graupel carries negative charge, the separation intensifies, building an electric field strong enough to break down the resistance of air itself.
When this happens, a channel of charged plasma—called a “leader”—reaches down toward the ground. At the same time, a positive “streamer” rises up to meet it. Once they connect, energy flows in a dazzling burst: a lightning strike.
Positive vs. Negative Lightning: What’s the Difference?
Recently, we have received a few emails asking about the difference between positive and negative lightning. So, let’s dive in.
Negative lightning is the most common, accounting for about 95% of cloud-to-ground strikes. It carries a negative charge and delivers multiple strokes of current averaging around 30,000 amps.
Positive lightning, while less frequent, making up less than 5% of all strikes according to the National Weather Service, is far more powerful. These bolts originate in the upper parts of a storm’s anvil and can travel much farther, sometimes striking up to 10 miles away from the storm itself. These are often called “bolts from the blue” because they appear without warning, the flash duration is longer, and they carry currents up to ten times stronger than a typical negative strike.
Lightning Safety Tips: We can’t stress this enough!
The National Lightning Safety Council emphasizes that lightning can—and often does—strike well beyond the visible edge of a storm. Just because the sky overhead is clear doesn’t mean you’re safe. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck.
Here are some key tips to protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Go Inside Early: Don’t wait for rain to start. The safest place during a thunderstorm is inside a fully enclosed substantial building or inside an enclosed metal-topped vehicle. NO place outside is safe when thunderstorms are around.
- Avoid High-Risk Activities: Stay off open fields, rooftops and any elevated areas. Avoid swimming pools, lakes and all water activities when a storm is in the area.
- Stay Away from Conductive Surfaces: Inside, don’t use corded phones or electrical appliances. Avoid plumbing fixtures like sinks and bathtubs, as lightning can travel through wiring and pipes.
- Never Rely on Clear Skies Alone: Positive lightning can strike far from the storm cloud itself. Even if it seems sunny overhead, a distant thunderstorm can still deliver a dangerous bolt from the blue. Keep an eye on the sky and be mindful of the forecast.
Every lightning strike begins as a silent exchange of charge — leaders reaching down, streamers rising up — until, in an instant, electricity finds its path. Whether it’s a routine negative strike or a powerful positive bolt, lightning doesn’t always respect the boundaries of the storm.
By understanding the science and following proven safety tips from trusted sources like the National Weather Service and the National Lightning Safety Council, you can stay safe while marveling at one of nature’s most dramatic displays.