Saw my first positive lightning bolt today!

[TampaSteve]

My wife and I were going out to get lunch today around 2 pm, and the skies overhead were clear, but we saw a thundercloud off to the East. It didn't seem to be doing much at first, then suddenly I saw this huge bolt of lightning jump between the top of the cloud and the ground, striking a point on the ground well away from the cloud. I have no doubt in my mind that it was positive lightning...the first time I had seen it live. I have seen plenty of lightning before, even lighthing shooting UP from the top of a thundercloud, but never a clearly defined bolt between the top of the cloud and the ground.

Yaaay...I can cross one more weather phenomenon off my list...

[JonathanBelles]

What is the difference between positive and negative lightning appearance?

[TampaSteve]

What is the difference between positive and negative lightning appearance?

Positive lightning jumps between the top of the thundercloud (anvil) and the ground some distance away from the thundercloud, as opposed to negative lightning, which jumps between the base of the thundercloud and the ground underneath the thundercloud. Other than the origination point and the fact that it is far more powerful, positive lightning looks like negative lightning, albeit somewhat brighter because of the increased power.

[Hurricaneman]

What is the difference between positive and negative lightning appearance?

Positive lightning jumps between the top of the thundercloud (anvil) and the ground some distance away from the thundercloud, as opposed to negative lightning, which jumps between the base of the thundercloud and the ground underneath the thundercloud. Other than the origination point and the fact that it is far more powerful, positive lightning looks like negative lightning, albeit somewhat brighter because of the increased power.

This is the way that the phenomenom known as bolt from the blue happens I believe

[TampaSteve]

What is the difference between positive and negative lightning appearance?

Positive lightning jumps between the top of the thundercloud (anvil) and the ground some distance away from the thundercloud, as opposed to negative lightning, which jumps between the base of the thundercloud and the ground underneath the thundercloud. Other than the origination point and the fact that it is far more powerful, positive lightning looks like negative lightning, albeit somewhat brighter because of the increased power.

This is the way that the phenomenom known as bolt from the blue happens I believe

Correct.

[Extremeweatherguy]

[TampaSteve]

[Bunkertor]

What is the difference between positive and negative lightning appearance?

Positive lightning jumps between the top of the thundercloud (anvil) and the ground some distance away from the thundercloud, as opposed to negative lightning, which jumps between the base of the thundercloud and the ground underneath the thundercloud. Other than the origination point and the fact that it is far more powerful, positive lightning looks like negative lightning, albeit somewhat brighter because of the increased power.

And it´s much louder - even from the distance.

[Stephanie]

I never heard of that term before. It's great to see a photo of it.

[Category 5]

Beautiful picture.