CHARLOTTE, N.C. — They’re called “bolts from the blue," unexpected lightning strikes that can impact people outside the perceived risk area of a thunderstorm.
These bolts happen when lightning strikes miles away from a nearby thunderstorm. In some cases, lightning can impact a location 10-to-20 miles away from the thunderstorm. This means a lightning strike can happen when the weather is still sunny.
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What forms a bolt from the blue
Lightning strikes that are "bolts from the blue" are specifically positively charged lightning strikes. These particular bolts usually originate on the outskirts of the thunderstorm. They jet out from the anvil, which is the top part of the thunderstorm cloud. They travel more horizontally than other lightning strikes. This helps them travel the greater distance than lightning that shoots out downward from a storm.
These positive strikes are both more powerful and can last longer.
Examples of bolts from the blue
This is an example of a bolt from the blue over portions of Union and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina. The positive lightning strike is circled in blue.
The lightning strike happened miles north of the thunderstorm. Lightning strikes like these are especially risky because, without the presence of rain, it is possible the lightning strike could be unexpected.
To stay safe, stay weather aware not only of the weather near you but the weather further away too. Even if a storm seems to be a good distance away, it may be time for you and your family to head indoors to avoid any bolts from the blue.
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