The bright lights of a city or cloud illumination from lightning may prevent you from seeing sprites. Sprites are brief - only 3 to 10 milliseconds. They occur too quickly to follow with the eyes, but their vertical structure and red color may be perceived. Patience will be rewarded. If the right kind of storm is present and one's viewing geometry is favorable, there is a greater likelihood of seeing a sprite than of seeing a shooting star.
Scientists discuss biology, safety, and statistics of lightning strikes.
Poster papers on hurricanes and tornadoes summarized. Thunderstorms generate elusive and mysterious sprites. Preview of the 11th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity. More web links University of Alaska, Fairbanks - Sprite research home page. Los Alamos National Laboratory - computer models of sprites.