TOP 10 BEST LIGHTNING STRIKES

Summary

In this thrilling video, the narrator shares their top 10 lightning strike captures from over 20 years of storm chasing. From the dramatic beauty of anvil crawlers to rare and powerful bolts, each strike tells a unique story of nature's fury. Highlights include intense positive lightning, a record-breaking tornado in Oklahoma, and a rare clear capture of an upward streamer. The video also emphasizes the danger and awe-inspiring nature of these natural phenomena, with the narrator offering photography tips and safety advice for lightning enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lightning appears in many dramatic and beautiful ways, from anvil crawlers to powerful bolts that can travel miles from a storm.
• 😀 The script is from a photographer who has been chasing lightning for 20 years, sharing his top 10 favorite lightning strike captures.
• 😀 At number 10, a Kansas interstate scene shows a lightning strike that’s triggered by a distant discharge, with humor about the trucker's likely reaction.
• 😀 Number 9 features a tornado-caused lightning storm near Lincoln, Nebraska, with a particularly unusual looping lightning bolt.
• 😀 Number 8 shows the aftermath of the largest tornado in history (2.6 miles wide) near El Reno, Oklahoma, with lightning shooting out of it.
• 😀 Some of the best lightning photos are taken from miles away, showcasing the natural beauty of lightning in the distance, similar to sunsets or rainbows.
• 😀 At number 7, after 300 attempts, a photographer captures wicked anvil crawler lightning over Devils Tower, a rare and dramatic display.
• 😀 At number 6, anvil crawler lightning is captured over a paralyzed 1956 Mercury car, which is a unique and noteworthy shot.
• 😀 Numbers 5, 4, and 3 are all from the same violent storm in North Texas in June 2010, featuring dramatic positive lightning that generates billions of volts and can heat air to 50,000°F.
• 😀 Positive lightning is the most deadly and photogenic type, with bolts jumping from storm clouds up to 10 miles away, capturing a rare upward streamer during one shot.
• 😀 The number 1 capture is from June 16, 2014, in northeast Nebraska, where two tornadoes collide, and a lightning strike adds to the dramatic scene, which the photographer describes as a jaw-dropping moment.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the script?

The script focuses on the photographer's top 10 lightning strike captures, highlighting the beauty and dramatic nature of lightning in various forms, such as bolts, anvil crawlers, and positive lightning.

Why is the Kansas interstate lightning strike ranked number 10?

It is ranked number 10 because the trucker's reaction to the lightning strike is captured in slow motion, adding a dramatic and somewhat humorous element to the photo.

What makes the lightning strike near Lincoln, Nebraska, unique?

The strike is unique due to its bizarre looping path, which is highlighted as a rare and dramatic lightning phenomenon.

Why is the lightning strike near El Reno, Oklahoma, memorable?

The strike is memorable because it occurred on the same day as the world's largest tornado, which had a 2.6-mile width, and the lightning bolt shot out from the tornado's massive side, making it a historic and horrifying moment.

What are anvil crawlers, and why are they significant in this video?

Anvil crawlers, also called spider lightning, are long, branching lightning bolts that spread across the sky, resembling a spider's web. They are significant in the video due to their dramatic and beautiful display, with one captured over an old Mercury car.

What is positive lightning, and why is it so dangerous?

Positive lightning is a rare and deadly form of lightning that strikes from the top of thunderstorms, sometimes traveling up to 10 miles. It can generate a billion volts of electricity and heat the air to over 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it more dangerous than typical lightning.

How does the photographer capture high-resolution shots of lightning?

The photographer uses high-speed photography techniques, capturing individual lightning flashes in slow motion. This allows them to isolate the dramatic moments when multiple flashes occur simultaneously, such as in the super long mega bolts.

What is an upward streamer in the context of lightning photography?

An upward streamer is a phenomenon where lightning arcs upward from the ground, typically from tall structures, toward the descending bolt. The photographer captured a rare and clear image of this phenomenon, making it a one-in-a-million shot.

Why is the June 16, 2014, lightning strike in northeast Nebraska considered the top capture?

This lightning strike is considered the top capture because it occurred during an intense storm with two tornadoes on the ground. The moment when one tornado blazes a trail toward the other, while a dramatic lightning strike occurs in the background, makes it a jaw-dropping and iconic shot.

What safety tip does the photographer give to those chasing lightning?

The photographer advises that if you can hear lightning, you are close enough to be struck, and therefore, it's important to carry a good set of earplugs to protect yourself while chasing lightning.