Lightning has been a phenomenon observed for thousands of years. Forked lightning is very common and is the type we will be focussing on.

Many scientists are becoming more concerned with lightning these days. There is evidence that global warming may cause a dramatic increase in lightning strikes. Even a slight rise in air temperature at ground level leads to a furious increase in the frequency of lightning during thunderstorms. A rise in ground temperature of only two degrees Fahrenheit correspond to a twenty fold increase in lightning rate.

World-wide, there are about 40,000 thunderstorms everyday, accounting for about 100 lightning flashes every second. An average of one person is killed by lightning somewhere on earth every day. Lightning and the fires it causes kill more people than tornadoes and hurricanes combined. Therefore, understanding more about lightning will enable us to predict strikes and ultimately save lives.

	Lightning Information
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