Lightning Map

 The lightning data shown on the map below is being provided by a Boltek Stormtracker Lightning Detector and Astrogenic Systems Nexstorm software.

 Friction between ice particles within large clouds, (cumulonimbus) build up a charge of electricity which is trapped. This is  because there is a gap between the cloud & an other body, i.e. the ground or another cloud.

Eventually this charge becomes so great that it can jump across this gap. This is when Lightning occurs, the sound of thunder is a result of this electrical discharge. Because the electrical discharge is so great, it can be detected over long distances, by a lightning detector & then plotted onto a map by computer.

 To find out for yourself how far away a lightning strike is, count the time in seconds between the flash of lightning, and the sound thunder, every 5 seconds = 1 mile.