STORM2K

Has anyone experienced a very brief but torrential downpour of rain
immediately after a close lightning strike? I have noticed it several times
during a TS and wonder if there is a relationship between the lightning
charge and the rate of rainfall for that particular parcel. I know I'm not
imagining it.

I haven't noticed that myself, but it's an interesting question.

I read once about scientists creating water in a controlled environment using high pulses of electrical current to combine the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This may be happening in nature with the lightning adding the electrical current and our own Hydrogen and Oxygen molecules in the atmosphere creating the extra downpour of water. It's actually beyond me, but sounds like it could be possible.

would be that the descending rain is bringing the charge center in the cloud closer to the ground thus increasing the chance for a CG strike in the area just before to just after the initial burst of rain hits.

Steve

I was thinking a little differently than Aslkahuna, but his explanation makes perfect sense and most likely the correct one.

I think my thought was about the same, maybe worded a little different.
A supporting updraft in a developing thunderstorm which no longer can hold the moisture aloft - I notice in about 50% of diurnal thunderstorms here in South Carolina in the summertime will actually produce CG strikes about 5 minutes before the parent thunderstorm unleashes a torrent of rainfall ... the other 50% the torrent begins and about 5 minutes afterward, the CG kicks in.