Lightning Characteristics

Most lightning strikes are associated with rain storms, but lightning strike risk is not constant throughout the duration of typical storms, because most lightning tends to occur near the beginning or end of most storms. Cloud-to-ground lightning channels average about 6 miles in length and typically range in length between 2 and 10 miles. Cloud-to-ground strike voltage tends to range from 100 million to 1 billion volts. Lightning channel temperatures typically reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about four times the temperature of the surface of the sun. ©2004 Tigertek, Inc. All rights reserved.

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