This essay is intended only to present general information about an interesting topic in law and is not advice for your specific problem. See my disclaimer . This essay focuses on lightning between a cloud and the surface of the earth. Lightning is most commonly associated with thunderstorms, but can also occur in snow storms and from the ash cloud of volcanic eruptions. Thunderstorms can be an isolated cloud, or part of a line of thunderclouds associated with a front on a map of surface air pressure.
Lightning is most common in the spring and summer months, but can occur at any time.
Damage caused by lightning Lightning causes damage to buildings and equipment in three different ways. There can be damage as a result of a direct lightning strike. Such damage includes damage to roofing materials, structures such as chimneys, heating or air conditioning units located on the roof or exterior of a building, or fires caused by lightning igniting combustible material, such as wood-frame buildings or flammable liquids or vapors. The electromagnetic fields from the current in a lightning stroke can induce currents and voltage in wire and cables inside a building. Such surge currents are typically less intense than direct injection of current, but can easily vaporize integrated circuits in computers, modems, electronic control circuits, etc.