Image source: Scott H. Murray / Media Drum World
Bolt From The Blue
Lightning strikes are expected during a thunderstorm or simply a usual rainy day, however, that cannot be further from the truth. Though the sky is clear, the threat of a lightning bolt appearing remains relatively high.
Albeit any notice, a mega lightning bolt ricochet from the nearest cloud, stretching up to 16km away from it. As unusual as it may sound, “Bolts from the Blue” lightning – a phrase coined after a cloud-to-ground weather condition whereby a lightning bolt can strike in an area without clouds overhead. Not just the ‘unexpectedness’ of it is life-threatening, but the dangers it poses. “Bolts from the blue” holds far more power than the typical lightning strikes during heavy weather which can be deadly.
How It’s Formed?
A “Bolt from the Blue” is considered a positive lightning strike which is far more powerful and dangerous than any other type of lightning. A process called “triboelectrification” transfers charged particles to moisture in the atmosphere. The composition of clouds consisting of liquid water and ice is a great foundation for the build-up of charges. The water droplets of the moisture contained are negatively charged which remains in the bottom part of a cloud. The upper section of the cloud is colder than its section counterpart, thus it’s more positively charged. What accompanies a lightning strike is a massive accumulation of positive charges in the upper sections of the clouds, leading to a relatively large potential difference between the clouds and the ground. The result is a shocking phenomenon! The thunderbolt can reach further than anyone can imagine, making it exceptionally fatal.