© Matthew Clark

Hamlet, Nebraska, United States of America

Latitude: 40° 21' 7'' N

Longitude: 101° 7' 25'' W

23 May 2010 2000 (Local Time)
Camera direction: towards W

Image P/S code: P.14.1.1.2

Image I.D.: 5081

• Images & related info Other Images Images of 1987 edition
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  Lightning: cloud discharges

  This picture shows cloud discharges of lightning at 1 and 2 during an evening thunderstorm over Nebraska, USA. The thunderstorm was rather high-based, and mamma can be seen in the distance where part of the extensive anvil of the storm is visible. A small updraught base is visible at the lower right, with cumuliform clouds growing into the storm. Cumulus fractus clouds are evident underneath the storm, with other Cumulus species in the distance.

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  © Matthew Clark
  Hamlet, Nebraska, United States of America
  Latitude: 40° 21' 7'' N
  Longitude: 101° 7' 25'' W
  23 May 2010 2000 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards W
  Image P/S code: P.14.1.1.2
  Image I.D.: 5081
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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.  

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  © 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
  Image P/S code: S.14.1
  Image I.D.: 4951
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  Lightning: cloud discharge

  Cloud-to-cloud lightning discharge of great horizontal extent

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  © Matthew Clark
  Chateau Cl, Gothers, St Dennis, Saint Austell, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  Latitude: 50° 23' 30'' N
  Longitude: 4° 51' 36'' W
  17 July 2014 2100 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards SW
  Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.2
  Image I.D.: 5024
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  “Anvil crawler” lightning

  This picture shows lightning branching through the anvil of a strong mid-level thunderstorm over Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. These cloud discharges are colloquially known as ”anvil crawlers”.

  A rain-free updraught base can be seen at the right-hand side of the image. Elsewhere, cloud detail is masked by heavy precipitation. Shafts of precipitation are evident near to the rain-free updraught base.

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  © Matthew Clark
  Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
  Latitude: 40° 48' 49'' N
  Longitude: 96° 38' 4'' W
  01 June 2009 0015 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards SW
  Image P/S code: P.14.1.1.2.1
  Image I.D.: 5074
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  Lightning: cloud discharge (“anvil zits”)

  This image features numerous small lightning discharges, informally known as “anvil zits”, in the anvil of a severe thunderstorm near Decatur in Texas, USA (seen at 1 and 2). The photo was a 15-second exposure, so that many examples of the lightning discharges have been captured. Weakly defined mamma is also evident in the anvil. The thunderstorm produced 5 cm diameter hail.

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  © Matthew Clark
  Boyd, Texas, United States of America
  Latitude: 33° 5' 40'' N
  Longitude: 97° 38' 47'' W
  26 May 2009 2130 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards E
  Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.2
  Image I.D.: 5080
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  “Anvil crawler” lightning

  The image shows lightning associated with a severe storm complex crossing the lower Great Lakes. Discrete convective cells mutated into a powerful squall line ahead of a strong cold front moving south-east during the evening hours. Hail, damaging winds and heavy rain accompanied its passage. Pictured here is the north flank of the thunderstorm complex as it crossed the Canadian border into New York state and Pennsylvania, USA. This cloud discharge, colloquially known as “anvil crawlers”, covers some horizontal distance and generates multiple tree-like branches.

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  © Eric Van Lochem
  Waterdown, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  Latitude: 43° 19' 29'' N
  Longitude: 79° 54' 11'' W
  09 August 2009 2230 (Local Time)
  
  
  Camera direction: towards SE
  Image P/S code: S.14.1.1.2.1
  Image I.D.: 5557
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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.   

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  © 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