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Why is lightning purple?

Published in Lightning Color 1 min read

Lightning can appear purple or lilac due to high atmospheric humidity.

Here's a breakdown:

  • High Humidity: According to provided information, a purple or lilac tint in lightning is often associated with high atmospheric humidity. This suggests the thunderstorm is accompanied by significant precipitation.
  • Other Colors:
    • Yellow lightning, though uncommon, indicates a cooler temperature and is linked to high concentrations of dust in the air.
    • Blue and white lightning are not discussed in the reference.

Therefore, the purple hue of lightning is primarily linked to the presence of high atmospheric humidity during a thunderstorm.

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