Lightning

Risk of lightning striking
Lightning strike

Nature

A large discontinuous discharge is produced through the air, generally under turbulent conditions of the atmosphere associated with thunderstorms. The electricity is generated in cumulonimbus clouds by separation of the electric charge associated with the upward movement of air and the freezing of water droplets. The main discharge of lightning runs from the earth upward (return stroke) along a channel prepared by a leader discharge. The peak value of the lightning current exceeds 35 kiloamps (35 kA, or 35,000 amps) in 50% of cases, with one percent exceeding 200 kA. The temperature in the lightning channel may reach 20,000 to 30,000 deg C and the rapid heating of air produces an explosion which is heard as thunder. When lightning strikes it may cause loss of life, destroy structures or cause fires. The high voltage or current produced in electrical and electronic equipment by lightning causes severe damage to them. Microelectronic devices are especially sensitive to the secondary effects of lightning (such as induced voltage) if they are not protected.

Lightning strikes the earth an average of 100 times a second totaling over 3 billion strikes a year.

Background

Lightning has been recognized as a formidable natural phenomenon since antiquity, with early civilizations attributing its destructive power to divine forces. Its global impact became increasingly apparent with the expansion of settlements and infrastructure, leading to heightened awareness of lightning-related hazards. Scientific investigation intensified in the 18th century, notably after Benjamin Franklin’s experiments, prompting systematic study of lightning’s frequency, distribution, and effects, and highlighting its persistent threat to human safety, property, and ecosystems worldwide.

Incidence

Electronic counters produce data which provide an estimate of about about two lightning strikes per sq km in temperate zones and between 10 and 15 strikes per sq km in tropical zones each year. Lightning discharges between clouds occur about twice as frequently. In forest areas in the USA it has been estimated that one sizeable fire results per annum from lightning for each 40 sq km of forest. Estimates for lightning-caused deaths are: USA, 160 per annum; West Germany, 41 per annum (92 people struck each year). Despite assumptions to the contrary, lightning may cause fatal damage to aircraft. It has been estimated that over Europe one aircraft is hit by lightning for every 2400 flying hours, and once every 6,000 flying hours over oceans. The cost of damage to electrical and electronic devices due to secondary effects of lightning may be ten times higher than that produced directly by a stroke of lightning.

Claim

Lightning is a dangerously underestimated threat that demands urgent attention. Every year, it claims lives, destroys property, and sparks devastating wildfires, yet society treats it as a mere spectacle. This complacency is unacceptable. We must prioritize lightning research, invest in advanced warning systems, and educate the public about its risks. Ignoring lightning’s destructive power is reckless—addressing this problem is not optional, but essential for public safety and environmental protection.

Counter-claim

Frankly, lightning is not an important problem at all. Modern infrastructure and technology have made lightning strikes a rare inconvenience rather than a genuine threat. With effective lightning rods, weather forecasts, and safety protocols, the risk is minimal. There are far more pressing global issues—like climate change, poverty, and disease—that deserve our attention and resources. Worrying about lightning is an outdated concern in today’s advanced, well-prepared world.