This tremendous release of energy is converted to heat. After the discharge, the air rapidly cools and contracts. Because the speed of light is a million times faster than that of sound, we see a lightning stroke before we hear it. Just remember that lightning can come from the anvil portion of the thunderstorm and strike the ground 10 to 15 miles from the rain portion of the storm. In rare cases, lightning has been known to travel as far as 15 miles from the storm.
Lightning can occur from any portion of the thunderstorm cloud.
Thunderstorms can extend up to 10 miles high in the atmosphere and they are often tilted by stronger winds aloft. High clouds above you may be part of a thunderstorms anvil. Often during the dissippating stage of a thunderstorm, lightning will strike from the upper reaches of the storm including the anvil. A study on lightning conducted in Florida found that the average distance between one lightning strike hitting the ground and the next was two to three miles. It seemed a long way away and yet, on average, the next strike could be right next to you.