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Kuba
Lv 5
Kuba asked in Science & MathematicsWeather · 6 years ago

Question regarding lightning frequency and type in thunderstorms.?

A couple of weeks ago, there was a cluster of severe thunderstorms which produced quite a bit of hail here in the Chicago area. I even managed to recover a 1" diameter hailstone on my property. Odd thing was... there was virtually no cloud-to-ground lightning activity at all. There was quite a bit of intracloud lightning however, just no CG strikes. Other times, there are non-severe thunderstorms with CG strikes left-and-right hitting trees and blowing transformers up. And then there are times when there are storms with torrential rainfall and there is very little CG and intracloud lightning.

What determines lightning frequency in thunderstorms as well as the ratio between IC/CG lightning?

2 Answers

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  • TQ
    Lv 7
    6 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    "Some types of severe convective storms produce CG discharges, while others do not. When lightning does occur, a storm’s lightning flash rate (number of flashes per minute) is a useful indicator of a storm’s intensity. As lightning production ramps up, the cloud updraft enters its most vigorous phase. The most intense updrafts generate large hail."

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    Hey Kuba, it's that guy who asks those strange questions about comparing Detroit and Chicago's weather, etc. Anyways, I know nothing about this question so therefore I can't answer your question. You're the one who is teaching me about weather actually, LOL. Anyways, where in Chicago, IL do you live? Like in the CENTER of Chicago or do you live by Lake Michigan? If not, where? Lol. By the way, how old are you and are you a guy or a gal? And please can we live chat ever? I mean, really. Like some sort of chatting site.

    Again, sorry for my crappy English I didn't finish school, lol.

    And respond to me on HERE. Thanks.

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