When Lightning Strikes, It Roars
A Lightning Storm. Photo credit: Boris Baran Lightning is a rapid discharge of energy in the form of heat, light, and electric. A single lightning strike can heat the air to 54,000 °F! Heat isn’t the only extreme, lightning’s light can be seen from space and its energy contains up to one billion volts ! High heat causes the air to expand extremely quickly, creating a shock wave that booms! This loud rumble is thunder.