Nick, Lightning is AC/DC- it goes both ways. The vast majority if strikes here are from air to ground, then within the storm (not reaching ground), then from ground to air. Out west we get thunderheads of incredible height, bringing hail the size of baseballs, and hundreds of lightning strikes.
I got caught out once in prairie-land at a trout lake. Storm was coming and everyhthing around us seemed to be filled with static electricity. I tried to drop my rod from the side of the truck and an arc jumped out 4" and zapped the tar out of my hand. I have always wondered if this was the precursor to a real strike, them little ions telling the bolt which was the easiest way. DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Niclas Runarsson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 9:31 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] Boating Safety Question "Lightning is an arc that's looking for the path of least resistance to ground. Thus, it looks for a conductor that offers less resistance than air." Actually, the lightning itself is a lazy guy, as it doesn't look for anything. It's just following an Ion trail (lower resistance than air), that has already found the easiest way and "rolled out the red carpet" for him... coming from the opposite direction. Nick -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/893 - Release Date: 7/9/2007 5:22 PM
