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That is an interesting question, usually when lightning strikes it usually hits the highest point possible in the vicinity of downward motion. When lightning "strikes", something called a stepped leader leaves the cloud, sort of "looking" for a path to follow. When this leader gets close to an object sticking up above the flat surrounding surface, something called a streamer leaps up from the object things like tree's, buildings, animals, Golf clubs or fishing poles, whatever, if they're the tallest object around. Also at times there is an ionized path that lightning will take, meaning an area of high electrical conductivity (it'll make the hairs on your skin and head stand on end, it feels really tingly), that's a point where the steeped leader is trying to connect with a streamer, when they connect or if you add something to decrease the channel width (by holding something conductive up) ZAP! you get whacked with one Billion volts. As for it striking a lake, electricity will always follow a path of least resistance. While one would expect that lightning would probably hit lakes quite often due to their high conductivity based on solubles in the lakes, area, volume, ect. I'd imagine it's probably not that frequent because most lakes are surrounded by taller objects than the lake itself. This creates a shorter path that the electricity would have to bridge. I'd say more frequently that lightning wouldn't hit the actual lake, but rather say the mast of a yacht on that lake, or the fishing pole a fisherman is holding up while on that lake, since that would make that object the tallest point in a very large open space. Though respectively I haven't been able to find any "exact" numbers. Probably because lightning flashes hit various pieces of ground/water about 22 million times each year in the United States alone.
Lightning strikes bodies of water, including lakes, fairly regularly during thunderstorms. However, the actual frequency can vary depending on the region and weather conditions. Lakes can attract lightning due to their open expanse of water and the presence of taller objects, such as trees or buildings, along the shoreline.
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Can lightning strike while there's a rainbow?
Yes, lightning can strike while a rainbow is present. Rainbows occur during or after a rain shower, which can also be associated with thunderstorms that produce lightning. Seeing both a rainbow and lightning at the same time is rare but possible.
Why does lightning strike near water?
Lightning tends to strike near water because water is a good conductor of electricity. In areas with bodies of water, such as lakes or oceans, the presence of charged particles in the atmosphere can create differences in electric potential that lead to lightning strikes targeting these areas. Additionally, water vapor and droplets can aid in the electrical discharge process.
How hot can a lightning strike get?
A typical lightning strike can reach temperatures of about 30,000 kelvins (53,540 degrees Fahrenheit), which is hotter than the surface of the sun.
When and where does lightning strike most often?
Lightning strikes most often in tropical regions, particularly near the equator, although it can occur anywhere. In terms of timing, lightning tends to strike more frequently during the warmer months of the year and in the afternoon or early evening when atmospheric conditions are ripe for thunderstorm development.
How often does cloud-to-ground lightning strike?
On average, cloud-to-ground lightning strikes the Earth about 25 million times per year. The frequency can vary based on geographical location and weather conditions.
Where does lightning often strike?
metal
Why lightning don't strike at summer?
Summer is the time when lightning strikes most often.
After a lightning strike what is the smell?
After a lightning strike, the smell often reported is ozone. Ozone has a sharp, metallic scent that is reminiscent of chlorine or bleach.
How do you put the word strike in a sentence?
The lightning strike caused a power outage in the neighborhood.
Can lightning strike a flying parachute or bird?
Yes, quite easily and often.
Can lightning strike a surfer?
Yes. Lightning CAN strike anything.
Why doesn't lightning strike ships?
Lightning does strike ships.
How often does a lightning strike somewhere on Earth?
Roughly 100 times per second.
Is it true that lightning strike survivors often have difficulty with short-term memory?
Yes
When was The Lightning Strike created?
The Lightning Strike was created on 2008-10-24.
Where in Canada does lightning strike most often?
In Canada, lightning strikes most often in the province of Alberta. This is due to its location in the central part of the country and its unique weather patterns that can produce significant thunderstorms and lightning activity.
Where does the Lightning strike?
at trees
