Lightning is incredibly hot, capable of heating the air it passes through to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Extreme Temperature of Lightning
According to the National Weather Service, lightning's core temperature can reach a staggering 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is an astonishing level of heat, significantly surpassing the surface temperature of the sun.
To put this into perspective:
- Lightning Channel: Approximately 50,000°F
- Surface of the Sun: Approximately 10,000°F
This means the air within a lightning strike can be 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun.
Effects of Lightning's Intense Heat
The extreme heat generated by a lightning bolt has dramatic effects on its surroundings.
- Air Expansion: The sudden, intense heat causes the air to expand rapidly, creating a shock wave that results in the sound we know as thunder.
- Impact on Objects: When lightning strikes an object containing moisture, such as a tree:
- The intense heat can instantly vaporize the water within the path of the strike.
- This rapid vaporization creates internal pressure, which can cause the tree to explode or a strip of bark to be blown off.
This demonstrates the destructive power contained within a lightning strike due to its immense thermal energy.
For more information, you can refer to the National Weather Service page on lightning temperature.
