What CREATS or CAUSES lightning & thunder?

Question

today early in the morning around 2 a.m was the first long lasting lightning and thunder moment i guess you could say?

i have ever had! it was very scarry &&

i never learned about it so can you tell me what to do to protect myself from getting struk or other good info. of lightning?

i was very scared i couldn't sleeps now i'm very curious.

i know i could search on google i just want to see people point of view.

thankks

God Bless!

(=

Answer 1

the +&- charged clouds come thclose they produce it  

Answer 2

Lightning is caused by electricity in the sky, and thunder is caused by water filled clouds colliding together.

Answer 3

The most common lightning is cloud to ground.  The clouds for various reasons gain an electrical charge.  At some point when the atmospheric conditions are just right the excess charge in the clouds creates a strike/bolt that discharges to the ground.  There are many other types of lightning.

Thunder is from the heat of the lightning as it causes the air to rapidly expand.  It is somewhat like popping a balloon where the expanding air that escapes from the balloon causes a bang.

The chance of getting struck is over 500,000 to 1 if you are standing outside when a thunder storm occurs.  Best protection is to stay inside.  If you are caught outside seek shelter, even a car or a tent is better than standing outside.  If no shelter is available lie down.  There are some myths about lightning, one is not to stand under a tree because the tree will attract lightning.  If lightning strikes a tree you are under, it has struck the tree and not you.  If you are worried about your house, get a lightning rod.

http://www.lightningrods.com/