Climatology Historical Thunderstorms Lightning Safety Forecasting Thunderstorms Thunderstorm Research Thunderstorm Formation Thunder and Lightning Severe Thunderstorms Lightning Lightning always accompanies a thunderstorm . It is estimated that lightning hits the Earth 100 times each second. That's 8.6 million strikes per day and over three billion each year.
Lightning is five times hotter than the sun.
A single bolt can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightning is an electrical discharge produced to balance the differences between positive and negative charges within a cloud, between two clouds, or between the cloud and the ground. A negative charge at the base of the cloud is attracted to a positive charge at the earth's surface. This charge is densest on isolated or protruding objects, like trees and tall buildings. When the difference between these charges becomes sufficiently strong, the normal insulating qualities of the air break down and a lightning bolt strikes.