Lightning without clouds ... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

Question

I just stepped outside and witnessed an unusual display by mother nature that I have never witnessed in my 35 years.... A lightning show in a cloudless sky.

Now these weren't bolts of lightning but rather flashes as if someone were taking a picture with a flash. But there were no clouds to be seen... have you seen this before?

Just so you know, I live in Dallas, TX.

Answer 1

I'm looking at recent lightning data and infrared satellite, and all lightning strikes are coordinating with clouds.  You may have not seen it but the skies went from mainly clear to towering cumulus clouds as thunderstorms developed over Dallas in the last 2 hours.

The lightning was probably cloud to air phenomenon... coming from clouds to your north and shooting southward into the clear air.

Answer 2

I see that there are some thunderstorms extending from and beyond about 40 miles to the north and east of the Dallas area at this time.  What I suspect is that you are seeing the lightning from those storms reflecting off of clouds to the east, while the sky overhead is clear.