A lightning bolt typically travels through the cloud, and then may travel through the air to the ground.
According to the reference, the journey of lightning often begins within a thunderstorm cloud. It can then take different paths:
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Within the cloud: Most lightning stays inside the thunderstorm cloud, jumping between areas of opposite electrical charge.
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Cloud to air: Some lightning travels from the cloud into the open air surrounding it.
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Cloud to ground: This is the most well-known type, where the lightning travels from the cloud, through the air, and eventually strikes the ground.
