Learning from Lightning Learning from Lightning Little by little, lightning sensors in space are revealing the inner workings of severe storms.
Scientists hope to use the technique to improve forecasts of deadly weather.
For most people watching a thunderstorm roll in, the bolts of lightning are just streaks of white light setting the night on fire, ushering in the crackle and rumble of thunder. NASA The awesome power of nature. Another potential benefit is providing algorithms for forecasting the likelihood of forest fires. Ala. Current ground observations require about five minutes to scan a storm and make a report on its characteristics. It is the rapid updates that forecasters are excited about.