There are many types of lightning. Cloud to Ground, Ground to Cloud (less common), Cloud to Cloud (anvil crawlers), Forked, Bolt, Sheet and Ball Lightning (very rare). Above the clouds it is even more interesting with new forms of lightning being discovered such as Jets, Sprites etc.
I find all forms of lightning fascinating to watch. Even if the storm is at a distance, its nice to just sit and watch the clouds lighting up with each strike.
I am fortunate living in Thailand as we get many thunderstorms during the monsoon season, sometimes two or three per day, with sporadic storms during the rest of the year.
The storms vary considerably, some with lightning every 30 seconds or so, and others with lightning striking two or three times a second.
I apologise for the images having power cables running right across them. They are right outside the condo and do tend to spoil the view slightly. On the positive side, the pylons attract the lightning.
The video below was taken from the balcony during a rather nice storm
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This may be a Ground to Cloud strike which is less common than the normal Cloud to Ground strike.
The reason I believe this is due to the fact that the fork in the lightning goes in an upwards direction.
The reason I believe this is due to the fact that the fork in the lightning goes in an upwards direction.
Nearby condo getting struck
Please click on smaller images to enlarge or to see identification number
Please click on smaller images to enlarge or to see identification number
Video stills showing strike from start to finish
Below are some pics of the clouds lighting up taken from video clip of about 10 seconds
Below is a video I have made showing anvil crawlers etc. The music, which I composed, is called 'Riding The Comet's Tail'
Anvil Crawlers. (A wide angle lens would have been useful here. I missed a large amount of the lightning as it displayed directly overhead)
In this next image, the lightning was so close it gave a double image which spoils the photograph somewhat. I could actually hear the air fizzing and a tingling sensation as it struck then a split second afterwards felt (and heard) the force of the thunder. A little too close for comfort!
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