After 20+ years of studying lightning, I have created a lecture series entitled “Understanding Lightning.” Using highs-speed video, animations and electromagnetic data analysis results, the 9 part series seeks to describe and explain what I consider to be the current understanding of lightning. This explanation is based on current and historic scientific peer-reviewed literature and the general consensus within the lightning scientific community. As with all physical science, this is a look at the current understanding and the description and explanations presented in this series will likely need to be updated and revised as research methods, observations and analyses continue to evolve what we know to be true regarding lightning. Furthermore, there are certain areas of lightning science that are well understood and agreed upon and others that are not and, therefore, continue to be subject of focused research and debate. Science is and always has been self correcting and will continue to expand and refine our knowledge with time.
This series is presented in a lecture format and does not include any AI generated content. I have tried to manually create simple animations that explain the concepts and physical processes of lightning behavior that support and supplement the high-speed video and electromagnetic field observations and analyses, and I use all of these in my descriptions of the various processes.
The 9 part series covers the following topics.
Part 1 – Introduction and Background
Part 2 – Storm Electrification and Leader Development
Part 3 – Cloud Flashes
Part 4 – Ground Flashes
Part 5 – Horizontally Extensive Flashes
Part 6 – Upward Lightning
Part 7 – Transient Luminous Events
Part 8 – Thunder and Lightning Damage
Part 9 – Lightning Threat to Humans and Safety Actions
The video series has been uploaded on my YouTube channel and has also been placed in a playlist for convenience.