© Matthew Clark

Prairie, Iowa, United States of America

Latitude: 40° 45' 9'' N

Longitude: 95° 33' 53'' W

31 May 2009 2200 (Local Time)
Camera direction: towards E

Image P/S code: P.14.0

Image I.D.: 5073

• Images & related info Other Images Images of 1987 edition
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  Lightning: ground discharge

  This photograph shows a cloud-to-ground lightning discharge from a rather high-based evening thunderstorm over Iowa, USA.

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Matthew Clark
  Prairie, Iowa, United States of America
  Latitude: 40° 45' 9'' N
  Longitude: 95° 33' 53'' W
  31 May 2009 2200 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards E
  Image P/S code: P.14.0
  Image I.D.: 5073
• 

  Lightning: ground discharge

  A lightning ground discharge (cloud-to-ground lightning) from a Cumulonimbus cloud strikes the high ground of the Peak at Hong Kong (China).

  A trough of low pressure brought thundery showers to the coastal areas of Guangdong. By convention, when lightning occurs the cloud is classified as Cumulonimbus.

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Irene Ho
  The Peak, Hong Kong, China
  Latitude: 22° 16' 33'' N
  Longitude: 114° 8' 30'' E
  31 March 2014 1945 (Local Time)
  
  
  Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.1
  Image I.D.: 4947
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  Lightning: ground discharges

  The main features in this picture are the lightning ground discharges at 1 and 2 (cloud-to-ground lightning). The discharges appear to follow a tortuous path between cloud and ground and are commonly known as forked lightning. Smaller branches from the main discharge at 3, 4 and 5 dissipate into clear air. The discharge on the left of the picture, from cloud to air, appears not to strike the ground and is an air discharge.

  When lightning occurs, the cloud is identified as Cumulonimbus. If it is not possible to determine whether the species is calvus or capillatus, as in this picture, by convention the coding is CL = 9.    

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Duncan Paul Kelly
  Vryheid, South Africa
  Latitude: 27° 45' 41'' S
  Longitude: 30° 46' 42'' E
  30 December 2011 2257 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards W
  C_L = 9, C_M = /, C_H = /
  Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.1
  Image I.D.: 4950
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  Lightning from Cumulonimbus capillatus

  Lightning strikes to the ground, known as ground discharges, are seen from the lower part of this Cumulonimbus cloud. The cloud is specifically identified as Cumulonimbus capillatus incus by the fibrous top to the cloud and anvil (coding CL = 9). Other lightning activity is occurring within the thundercloud cloud (intra-cloud lightning), with some cloud discharges lighting up the interior. One lightning flash – an anvil crawler – originates from the upper portion of the cloud, beneath the anvil, and travels horizontally for some distance, generating several branches.  

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Fabrizio Micalizzi
  Pace del Mela, Italy
  Latitude: 38° 11' 3'' N
  Longitude: 15° 18' 41'' E
  07 August 2015 0422 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards SE
  C_L = 9, C_M = /, C_H = /
  Image P/S code: S.14.1
  Image I.D.: 4951
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  Cloud and ground lightning discharges

  Lightning electrical discharges often follow a tortuous course. Here one connects with the ground as a cloud-to-ground discharge while others travel horizontally for some distance within or beneath the cloud.   

  Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.

  © Hernàn Palmisciano
  Almagro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  Latitude: 34° 36' 31'' S
  Longitude: 58° 25' 18'' W
  13 March 2012 0237 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards NE
  C_L = 9, C_M = /, C_H = /
  Image P/S code: S.14.1
  Image I.D.: 5568