What is Positive Lightning?

Positive lightning is a rare form of lightning that carries a positive charge to the ground, rather than the negative charge that is typically associated with lightning. This type of lightning can strike across very long distances, and with formidable power, making it extremely dangerous. It is often much more powerful than regular lightning, striking with as much as one billion volts of power.

Lightning is believed to be caused by a separation of electrical charges within a storm cloud. Typically, it emerges from the negatively charged base of a storm cloud in the form of a leader, which meets a positively charged streamer coming up from the ground. When the two connect, the result is a discharge of electricity from the cloud to the ground, causing a characteristic streak of light.

In the case of positive lightning, the charge comes from the positively charged top of a storm cloud, and it connects with a negatively charged streamer. This lightning can travel across 10 miles (16 kilometers) to meet a negatively charged streamer, releasing a burst of positively charged energy to the Earth. It is often associated with human activities, especially rocket launches and the testing of nuclear devices.

Since positive lightning is a unique phenomenon, special precautions must be taken to protect things like aircraft from it, as the protections that are normally effective against lightning are useless. People are also cautioned to beware of this phenomenon, which tends to strike more during heavy thunderstorms and at the end of a storm. As a general rule, it is a good idea for people to stay indoors for 30 minutes or so after a storm, allowing a storm to move away, and reducing the risk of being struck by lightning.

This type of lightning can travel across great distances, so it is not as predictable as other forms of lightning — which makes it more dangerous. It can also travel from cloud to cloud, also across great distances, and it may sometimes make a connection with the ground after traveling this way. The result can be a so-called “bolt from the blue”: a lightning bolt that strikes in seemingly fair weather.

Positive lightning is a type of lightning that originates from the positively charged upper regions of a thunderstorm. Unlike the more common negative lightning, which carries a negative charge and accounts for about 95% of all lightning strikes, positive lightning carries a positive charge. It is also significantly more powerful, can strike farther away from the storm (often referred to as a "bolt from the blue"), and lasts longer than negative lightning strikes.

Positive lightning is considerably more powerful than its negative counterpart. It can carry a charge of up to 300,000 amperes, which is about ten times that of negative lightning. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, positive lightning can also have a voltage up to 1 billion volts, making it capable of causing more damage and being more dangerous due to its higher energy content.

Positive lightning is relatively rare compared to negative lightning, occurring in only about 5% of all lightning strikes. However, despite its rarity, it is responsible for a disproportionate amount of lightning-related damage and injuries due to its greater power and unpredictable nature, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Yes, positive lightning can strike much farther away from the parent thunderstorm than negative lightning. It has the capability to strike areas as far as 25 miles away from the storm center, leading to the term "bolt from the blue." This characteristic makes it particularly dangerous because it can strike with little to no warning in areas where the sky appears clear.

Positive lightning is indeed more dangerous than negative lightning due to its higher charge, longer duration, and greater distance striking capability. It poses a higher risk for severe damage, fires, and fatalities. The energy released by a positive lightning strike can be devastating, and its unpredictability increases the risk to life and property.

To protect against positive lightning, it is crucial to seek shelter at the first sign of a thunderstorm and remain indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard. Structures with lightning rods and surge protectors can provide additional safety. The National Weather Service advises following the 30-30 rule: go indoors if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, and stay there until 30 minutes have passed without hearing thunder.