Super Close lightning

NoahFence · 1st August 2011, 06:32 PM

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About 15 seconds in, lower right corner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBkN...&feature=share

DevilsAdvocate · 1st August 2011, 08:07 PM

It doesn’t look real according to my experience. There is no big white flash and there is a delay in the thunder crack.

Lightning hit our house when I was a teenager. I didn’t see the strike directly. It struck in the backyard. We were in the living room watching TV, which was around a wall to the dining room which had a large sliding glass door to the backyard.

There was a blinding white flash accompanied with a huge boom at the same time. Then every thing went dark because the electricity cut out. It was shocking enough that we all sat there dumbfounded about what had happened until my dad came running from another room to see if everybody was alright and went to the basement to fix the breakers.

The lightning hit a tall tree, splitting open the top of the trunk (and killing the tree), then jumped to the gutters on the house and spread around the house and down the corner flashings leaving burn marks and pushing out the nails.

It didn’t look anything like this.

steve s · 1st August 2011, 08:18 PM

I agree that it doesn't look or sound right. Last summer a storm was moving into our area. I've got a large sliding patio door in my family room. I was standing at the door watching the storm come in and enjoying the cool breeze that was accompanying it. Suddenly a bolt of lightning hit the power lines in my back yard, which are about fifty feet from where I was standing. It was blindingly bright and sounded like a bomb going off. It damn near knocked me on my butt.

Steve S

Pulvinar · 1st August 2011, 08:36 PM

That appears close but it must have been a distance behind the trees, since the thunder takes about a second. The lightning would easily have been bright enough to shine through the branches. The sound sync can't be off because the guy reacts to both.

I've been within 30 feet of a strike twice and it sounded different: it was an immediate and very sharp SNAP!

Wowbagger · 1st August 2011, 08:49 PM

I've seen lightening shine through trees before. I suspect that could be it.

The light is soooo bright, it fills in its own gaps when it hits your retinas or a lens.

RussDill · 1st August 2011, 11:38 PM

Being less than 30 feet away from even a small lightning strike is indeed quite an experience. Definitely a holy crap did that just happen moment.

Syameese · 1st August 2011, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by RussDill

Being less than 30 feet away from even a small lightning strike is indeed quite an experience. Definitely a holy crap did that just happen moment.

I agree, many years ago I was looking out a window when lightning hit the road in front of me, no more than 40 feet away. The flash was blinding and the noise shook the whole house.

I quickly went to find my wife to see if she had heard it (as if she couldn't have) only to find that she had been knocked off her feet in our back yard - she was probably standing a bit over 100 feet from the impact and her only direct access to the strike was through an open carport door.

icerat · 2nd August 2011, 04:49 AM

About 20 yrs ago I was living as caretaker in a club and woke up early one morning with a start, feeling absolutely terrified. Moments later a huge bang and flash as lightening hit, I think, the rugby field posts about 15 metres away.

The static build up must have been causing all my hair to stand on end, hence the "terror" feeling. It was quite bizarre

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 05:15 AM

I assure you, it's quite real. "The Guy" is my twin, and the house is less than a mile away from mine.....

There should be some sort of explanation for the delay, brief as it is. It also doesn't look like a full cloud-to-ground bolt.

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 06:03 AM

Perhaps the end of a bolt further away? That could account for the <1 sec delay, couldn't it?

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 06:12 AM

Here's a screen cap:

Perhaps it caught the bolt going from the ground up? There's a noticable flash in the sky just before this, too. All in all, really neat!

(FYI...the kids were INSIDE)

Pulvinar · 2nd August 2011, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by NoahFence

I assure you, it's quite real. "The Guy" is my twin, and the house is less than a mile away from mine.....

There should be some sort of explanation for the delay, brief as it is. It also doesn't look like a full cloud-to-ground bolt.

A good explanation is that the strike was about 1000 feet away, since sound travels at 1126 feet per second. No doubt it was real, just not real close.

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 06:19 AM

The main bolt probably was, but it's pretty clear that thing is between the shed and the house.....

icerat · 2nd August 2011, 06:22 AM

Might be worth posting this on a forum like weatherzone, more likely to be some lightning experts there

Pulvinar · 2nd August 2011, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by NoahFence

The main bolt probably was, but it's pretty clear that thing is between the shed and the house.....

The lightning is extremely bright-- bright enough to shine through the branches and appear to be one connected bolt, but think about how wide the bolt appears to be and how wide it actually is. That difference is how much the light spreads on your retina (or in this case, the camera's CCD) due to its brightness. Notice that the fainter side trace is thinner and has gaps where the branches obscure it.

The simple fact of him reacting to the sound and light separately says it could not have been that close.

Jeff Corey · 2nd August 2011, 07:01 AM

A couple of weeks ago, lightning his this tree in front of my house. It was at night and I could simultaneously hear and see the strike.

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 07:12 AM

What about the screen cap? That sure looks to be in front of the trees, not behind.

I'm waiting on an admin to accept my registration for that weatherzone site, perhaps I can get an expert opinion over there (not that there's no experts here!)

It's a very strange phenomenon because I can clearly see where you guys are coming from regarding the delay, and I agree 100% But I can't get past that bolt being in front of the shed....

Wowbagger · 2nd August 2011, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by NoahFence

What about the screen cap? That sure looks to be in front of the trees, not behind.

Could be an illusion.

Remember: The bolt is bright enough to shine through most of the tree, and blur itself into a single bolt on the other side, creating the illusion that it is in front of the tree.

Once, while driving in Florida, I saw lightening streak across the sky, behind some trees, and other stuff, a few times. But, it looked like most of it was right in front of them.

Another time, when I was much, much younger, I thought I saw a lightening bolt coming out of a tree, during a storm. It scared the willies out of me, too. Little did I know it was merely an illusion.

littleroundman · 2nd August 2011, 07:36 AM

Lightning strike ?

That's not a lightning strike,

THESE are lightning strikes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXd5n...layer_embedded

Dr.Sid · 2nd August 2011, 07:40 AM

I agree it happens BEHIND the tree. Btw. if the video is true, it proves God's existence, and also, that He hates some people, but also has a sense of humor. Crude, black humor ..

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 07:41 AM

LOL

Charlie Monoxide · 2nd August 2011, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Sid

I agree it happens BEHIND the tree. Btw. if the video is true, it proves God's existence, and also, that He hates some people, but also has a sense of humor. Crude, black humor ..

Yes god exists, but has a bad aim and hates trees ....

Charlie (and sheds) Monoxide

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 04:14 PM

From a thunderstorm today:

MattTheTubaGuy · 2nd August 2011, 05:01 PM

here a couple of videos of actual close lightning strikes.

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YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

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it sure would be scary!

welshdean · 2nd August 2011, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by littleroundman

Lightning strike ?

That's not a lightning strike,

THESE are lightning strikes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXd5n...layer_embedded

?For real?

I was playing golf way back in the early nineties, a storm broke and within 10 mins we were being surrounded by flashes, cracks, bangs and it felt like we were stuck in one of Dante's layers. My mate held up his iron, arm fully stretched upward, the head of the club pointing skyward. Too scared to run into the trees and adopting the [relatively] safe position of crouching on my haunches, I bellowed to him, "What the f*** you doing?" He shouted back at me "I've had this club for 7 years, I don't think that even god can hit this 1 iron!"

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 05:22 PM

That's a fake.....
(The video. Everybody knows God can't hit a 1 iron)

The Man · 2nd August 2011, 05:53 PM

Perhaps it is a positive streamer and the actual strike happened 1000 ft away as indicated by the sound delay? So it was almost closer but another positive streamer completed the path further away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_le..._return_stroke

Skeptic Ginger · 2nd August 2011, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Wowbagger

I've seen lightening shine through trees before. I suspect that could be it.

The light is soooo bright, it fills in its own gaps when it hits your retinas or a lens.

That's what I think, it looked in front of the tree but it was really behind it. If lightning had hit that tree, one, you would have seen the tree shatter and it would be smoking, and two, the sound would have been immensely louder and more instantaneous.

I've been pretty close to lightning strikes a couple times, and even a couple houses down, the sound shook my house and shattered a tree in my neighbor's yard.

It could have been an upward streamer that did not connect.

Skeptic Ginger · 2nd August 2011, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by MattTheTubaGuy

here a couple of videos of actual close lightning strikes.

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

it sure would be scary!

That's more like it.

Lithrael · 2nd August 2011, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by The Man

Perhaps it is a positive streamer and the actual strike happened 1000 ft away as indicated by the sound delay? So it was almost closer but another positive streamer completed the path further away.

Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. That's exactly what it looks like to me. The classic illustration is this photo archived at NOAA showing a lil finger of lightning that reached up but didn't become the main discharge path of the bolt.

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/light...-hits-tree.jpg

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger

That's what I think, it looked in front of the tree but it was really behind it. If lightning had hit that tree, one, you would have seen the tree shatter and it would be smoking, and two, the sound would have been immensely louder and more instantaneous.

I've been pretty close to lightning strikes a couple times, and even a couple houses down, the sound shook my house and shattered a tree in my neighbor's yard.

It could have been an upward streamer that did not connect.

I think positive streamer is as good a bet as any. My brother seems to think it hit his pool - but there's no damage so that's not it.

Clearly it didn't hit anything.

NoahFence · 2nd August 2011, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Lithrael

Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. That's exactly what it looks like to me. The classic illustration is this photo archived at NOAA showing a lil finger of lightning that reached up but didn't become the main discharge path of the bolt.

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/light...-hits-tree.jpg

Great example - you're seeing the streamer off of the light pole, right?

Mikemcc · 2nd August 2011, 07:33 PM

As an aside, the guy filming made a fundamental mistake on safety grounds. He started off close to the building , and then moved away.

DON'T DO THAT! There is a degree of protection from being within a distance less than or equal to an object that can withstand lightning strikes. The guy started in a relatively 'safe' position , then made it much less safe. It's an elementary skill taught on the Mountain Leader training course - In a lightning storm, stay close to structures capable of withstanding and disippating strikes.

Skeptic Ginger · 2nd August 2011, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mikemcc

As an aside, the guy filming made a fundamental mistake on safety grounds. He started off close to the building , and then moved away.

DON'T DO THAT! There is a degree of protection from being within a distance less than or equal to an object that can withstand lightning strikes. The guy started in a relatively 'safe' position , then made it much less safe. It's an elementary skill taught on the Mountain Leader training course - In a lightning storm, stay close to structures capable of withstanding and disippating strikes.

Except be careful what you are standing in/on.

Lightning hit across from my son's school and the current went through the tree it hit, into the ground, and found its way into some power line that traveled to the school and shorted out all the clocks. I'm not sure what all it damaged.

And a house nearby was struck and literally the porch lights blew off the house.

I like formal advice for this kind of thing. It's good to review once in a while to clean up false memories.
NY Health Dept advice:

Quote:

Seek Shelter

Look for a large, enclosed building when a thunder or lightning storm threatens. That's the best choice.
If you are in a car and it has a hard top, stay inside and keep the windows rolled up.
Avoid small sheds and lean-tos or partial shelters, like pavilions.
Stay at least a few feet away from open windows, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, electric boxes and outlets, and appliances. Lightning can flow through these symptoms and "jump" to a person.
Do not shower or take a bath during a thunder or lightning storm
Avoid using regular telephones, except in an emergency. If lightning hits the telephone lines, it could flow to the phone. Cell or cordless phones, not connected to the building's wiring, are safe to use.

If you are caught outside: (If you are unable to reach a safe building or car, knowing what to do can save your life.)

If your skin tingles or your hair stands on the end, a lightning strike may be about to happen. Crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together. Keep your hands on your knees and lower your head. Get as low as possible without touching your hands or knees to the ground. DO NOT LIE DOWN!
If you are swimming, fishing or boating and there are clouds, dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning, get to land immediately and seek shelter.
If you are in a boat and cannot get to shore, crouch down in the middle of the boat. Go below if possible.
If you are on land, find a low spot away from trees, metal fences, pipes, tall or long objects.
If you are in the woods, look for an area of shorter trees. Crouch down away from tree trunks.

The Man · 2nd August 2011, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Lithrael

Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. That's exactly what it looks like to me. The classic illustration is this photo archived at NOAA showing a lil finger of lightning that reached up but didn't become the main discharge path of the bolt.

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/light...-hits-tree.jpg

Yep, I was looking for some pictures but could find any (granted I did look all that far). That the OP might have gotten such a good shot (from the posted frame) of a failed streamer is a note worthy accomplishment.

I clicked on the video link before but it didn't display, so I haven't seen the OP video yet.

ETA:
Looks like the OP streamer (if that is what it is) is coming up from the basketball post. Not a good time to be doing a dunk shot!!!

NoahFence · 3rd August 2011, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by Mikemcc

As an aside, the guy filming made a fundamental mistake on safety grounds. He started off close to the building , and then moved away.

DON'T DO THAT! There is a degree of protection from being within a distance less than or equal to an object that can withstand lightning strikes. The guy started in a relatively 'safe' position , then made it much less safe. It's an elementary skill taught on the Mountain Leader training course - In a lightning storm, stay close to structures capable of withstanding and disippating strikes.

Thunderstorms are a pretty big hobby we share. Sometimes the brain goes on pause....

Like the time I tried to beat a thunderstorm to the ski hill, and lost the race about 1/2 way up.

With a tripod in my hand.

Dumb....

NoahFence · 3rd August 2011, 05:05 AM

Quote:

I clicked on the video link before but it didn't display, so I haven't seen the OP video yet.

Yea, I'm not entirely sure whey that didn't work, but I did include a direct link. It's pretty cool....

NoahFence · 3rd August 2011, 09:13 AM

Thanks to Emet!

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I AGREE

I don't post video's much....

1st August 2011, 08:07 PM	#2
DevilsAdvocate Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,651	It doesn’t look real according to my experience. There is no big white flash and there is a delay in the thunder crack. Lightning hit our house when I was a teenager. I didn’t see the strike directly. It struck in the backyard. We were in the living room watching TV, which was around a wall to the dining room which had a large sliding glass door to the backyard. There was a blinding white flash accompanied with a huge boom at the same time. Then every thing went dark because the electricity cut out. It was shocking enough that we all sat there dumbfounded about what had happened until my dad came running from another room to see if everybody was alright and went to the basement to fix the breakers. The lightning hit a tall tree, splitting open the top of the trunk (and killing the tree), then jumped to the gutters on the house and spread around the house and down the corner flashings leaving burn marks and pushing out the nails. It didn’t look anything like this.
	__________________ Heaven forbid someone reads these words and claims to be adversely affected by them, thus ensuring a barrage of lawsuits filed under the guise of protecting the unknowing victims who were stupid enough to read this and believe it! - Kevin Trudeau

1st August 2011, 08:18 PM	#3
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,672	I agree that it doesn't look or sound right. Last summer a storm was moving into our area. I've got a large sliding patio door in my family room. I was standing at the door watching the storm come in and enjoying the cool breeze that was accompanying it. Suddenly a bolt of lightning hit the power lines in my back yard, which are about fifty feet from where I was standing. It was blindingly bright and sounded like a bomb going off. It damn near knocked me on my butt. Steve S
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,672	__________________ "Nature abhors a moron." -- H. L. Mencken

1st August 2011, 08:36 PM	#4
Pulvinar Muse Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 820	That appears close but it must have been a distance behind the trees, since the thunder takes about a second. The lightning would easily have been bright enough to shine through the branches. The sound sync can't be off because the guy reacts to both. I've been within 30 feet of a strike twice and it sounded different: it was an immediate and very sharp SNAP!
Pulvinar Muse Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 820

1st August 2011, 08:49 PM	#5
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,540	I've seen lightening shine through trees before. I suspect that could be it. The light is soooo bright, it fills in its own gaps when it hits your retinas or a lens.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

1st August 2011, 11:38 PM	#6
RussDill Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,328	Being less than 30 feet away from even a small lightning strike is indeed quite an experience. Definitely a holy crap did that just happen moment.
	__________________ The woods are lovely, dark and deep but i have promises to keep and lines to code before I sleep And lines to code before I sleep

1st August 2011, 11:57 PM	#7
Syameese Scholar Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 58	Originally Posted by RussDill Being less than 30 feet away from even a small lightning strike is indeed quite an experience. Definitely a holy crap did that just happen moment. I agree, many years ago I was looking out a window when lightning hit the road in front of me, no more than 40 feet away. The flash was blinding and the noise shook the whole house. I quickly went to find my wife to see if she had heard it (as if she couldn't have) only to find that she had been knocked off her feet in our back yard - she was probably standing a bit over 100 feet from the impact and her only direct access to the strike was through an open carport door.
Syameese Scholar Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 58

2nd August 2011, 04:49 AM	#8
icerat Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: sweden Posts: 3,168	About 20 yrs ago I was living as caretaker in a club and woke up early one morning with a start, feeling absolutely terrified. Moments later a huge bang and flash as lightening hit, I think, the rugby field posts about 15 metres away. The static build up must have been causing all my hair to stand on end, hence the "terror" feeling. It was quite bizarre
	__________________ Benford's law of controversy - Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available On my Ignore List - Joecool NewtonTrino Porkchopjim Tex2 If someone on my ignore list posts something you'd like me to respond to, please let me know.

2nd August 2011, 05:15 AM	#9
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	I assure you, it's quite real. "The Guy" is my twin, and the house is less than a mile away from mine..... There should be some sort of explanation for the delay, brief as it is. It also doesn't look like a full cloud-to-ground bolt.
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 06:03 AM	#10
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	Perhaps the end of a bolt further away? That could account for the <1 sec delay, couldn't it?
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 06:12 AM	#11
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	Here's a screen cap: Perhaps it caught the bolt going from the ground up? There's a noticable flash in the sky just before this, too. All in all, really neat! (FYI...the kids were *INSIDE*)
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 06:18 AM	#12
Pulvinar Muse Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 820	Originally Posted by NoahFence I assure you, it's quite real. "The Guy" is my twin, and the house is less than a mile away from mine..... There should be some sort of explanation for the delay, brief as it is. It also doesn't look like a full cloud-to-ground bolt. A good explanation is that the strike was about 1000 feet away, since sound travels at 1126 feet per second. No doubt it was real, just not real close.
Pulvinar Muse Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 820

2nd August 2011, 06:19 AM	#13
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	The main bolt probably was, but it's pretty clear that thing is between the shed and the house.....
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 06:22 AM	#14
icerat Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: sweden Posts: 3,168	Might be worth posting this on a forum like weatherzone, more likely to be some lightning experts there
	__________________ Benford's law of controversy - Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available On my Ignore List - Joecool NewtonTrino Porkchopjim Tex2 If someone on my ignore list posts something you'd like me to respond to, please let me know.

2nd August 2011, 06:44 AM	#15
Pulvinar Muse Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 820	Originally Posted by NoahFence The main bolt probably was, but it's pretty clear that thing is between the shed and the house..... The lightning is extremely bright-- bright enough to shine through the branches and appear to be one connected bolt, but think about how wide the bolt appears to be and how wide it actually is. That difference is how much the light spreads on your retina (or in this case, the camera's CCD) due to its brightness. Notice that the fainter side trace is thinner and has gaps where the branches obscure it. The simple fact of him reacting to the sound and light separately says it could not have been that close.
Pulvinar Muse Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 820	Last edited by Pulvinar; 2nd August 2011 at 06:49 AM.

2nd August 2011, 07:01 AM	#16
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 13,795	A couple of weeks ago, lightning his this tree in front of my house. It was at night and I could simultaneously hear and see the strike.

2nd August 2011, 07:12 AM	#17
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	What about the screen cap? That sure looks to be in front of the trees, not behind. I'm waiting on an admin to accept my registration for that weatherzone site, perhaps I can get an expert opinion over there (not that there's no experts here!) It's a very strange phenomenon because I can clearly see where you guys are coming from regarding the delay, and I agree 100% But I can't get past that bolt being in front of the shed....
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 07:35 AM	#18
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 13,540	Originally Posted by NoahFence What about the screen cap? That sure looks to be in front of the trees, not behind. Could be an illusion. Remember: The bolt is bright enough to shine through most of the tree, and blur itself into a single bolt on the other side, creating the illusion that it is in front of the tree. Once, while driving in Florida, I saw lightening streak across the sky, behind some trees, and other stuff, a few times. But, it looked like most of it was right in front of them. Another time, when I was much, much younger, I thought I saw a lightening bolt coming out of a tree, during a storm. It scared the willies out of me, too. Little did I know it was merely an illusion.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ An open conference on science and skepticism, where *you* could be a presenter! By the way, my first name is NOT Bowerick!!!!

2nd August 2011, 07:36 AM	#19
littleroundman Thinker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 180	Lightning strike ? That's not a lightning strike, *THESE* are lightning strikes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXd5n...layer_embedded

2nd August 2011, 07:40 AM	#20
Dr.Sid Critical Thinker Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 398	I agree it happens BEHIND the tree. Btw. if the video is true, it proves God's existence, and also, that He hates some people, but also has a sense of humor. Crude, black humor ..
Dr.Sid Critical Thinker Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 398	Last edited by Dr.Sid; 2nd August 2011 at 07:43 AM.

2nd August 2011, 07:41 AM	#21
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	LOL
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 12:13 PM	#22
Charlie Monoxide Wag Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 2,761	Originally Posted by Dr.Sid I agree it happens BEHIND the tree. Btw. if the video is true, it proves God's existence, and also, that He hates some people, but also has a sense of humor. Crude, black humor .. Yes god exists, but has a bad aim and hates trees .... Charlie (and sheds) Monoxide
	__________________ Major General Wag of JREF

2nd August 2011, 04:14 PM	#23
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	From a thunderstorm today:
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 05:20 PM	#25
welshdean 2012 6Nations Grand Slam -------CHAMPIONS------- Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Spitting in Andrew Wakefields eye Posts: 1,398	Originally Posted by littleroundman Lightning strike ? That's not a lightning strike, *THESE* are lightning strikes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXd5n...layer_embedded ?For real? I was playing golf way back in the early nineties, a storm broke and within 10 mins we were being surrounded by flashes, cracks, bangs and it felt like we were stuck in one of Dante's layers. My mate held up his iron, arm fully stretched upward, the head of the club pointing skyward. Too scared to run into the trees and adopting the [relatively] safe position of crouching on my haunches, I bellowed to him, "What the f*** you doing?" He shouted back at me "I've had this club for 7 years, I don't think that even god can hit this 1 iron!"
	__________________ Poe's Law!!! im christian if we came from apes how come were not hairy and have a big mouth and did we end up looking like we do know and besides there isnt any serious proof of apes they showd a video saying an ape was wondering around in the forest that thing looked exactly like a costume that i had saw at a store know one ever cought an ape (spelling/punctuation by original author)

2nd August 2011, 05:22 PM	#26
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	That's a fake..... (The video. Everybody knows God can't hit a 1 iron)
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 05:53 PM	#27
The Man Scourge, of the supernatural Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 7,525	Perhaps it is a positive streamer and the actual strike happened 1000 ft away as indicated by the sound delay? So it was almost closer but another positive streamer completed the path further away. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_le..._return_stroke
	__________________ "Not a seat but a springboard” (1942 Winston Churchill) "As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom" (1671 Milton "Paradise Regained") "for it seem'd A void was made in nature, all her bonds Crack'd; and I saw the flaring atom-streams And torrents of her myriad universe, Ruining along the illimitable inane, Fly on to clash together again, and make Another and another frame of things For ever." (1868 Tennyson "Lucretius")

2nd August 2011, 06:35 PM	#28
Skeptic Ginger formerly skeptigirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shifting through paradigms Posts: 40,646	Originally Posted by Wowbagger I've seen lightening shine through trees before. I suspect that could be it. The light is soooo bright, it fills in its own gaps when it hits your retinas or a lens. That's what I think, it looked in front of the tree but it was really behind it. If lightning had hit that tree, one, you would have seen the tree shatter and it would be smoking, and two, the sound would have been immensely louder and more instantaneous. I've been pretty close to lightning strikes a couple times, and even a couple houses down, the sound shook my house and shattered a tree in my neighbor's yard. It could have been an upward streamer that did not connect.
	__________________ (*Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, ~~Pubbie Party, Repubs~~ "Republics" and Republic Party in response.)

2nd August 2011, 06:42 PM	#30
Lithrael Muse Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 775	Originally Posted by The Man Perhaps it is a positive streamer and the actual strike happened 1000 ft away as indicated by the sound delay? So it was almost closer but another positive streamer completed the path further away. Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. That's exactly what it looks like to me. The classic illustration is this photo archived at NOAA showing a lil finger of lightning that reached up but didn't become the main discharge path of the bolt. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/light...-hits-tree.jpg
Lithrael Muse Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 775

2nd August 2011, 07:01 PM	#31
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger That's what I think, it looked in front of the tree but it was really behind it. If lightning had hit that tree, one, you would have seen the tree shatter and it would be smoking, and two, the sound would have been immensely louder and more instantaneous. I've been pretty close to lightning strikes a couple times, and even a couple houses down, the sound shook my house and shattered a tree in my neighbor's yard. It could have been an upward streamer that did not connect. I think positive streamer is as good a bet as any. My brother seems to think it hit his pool - but there's no damage so that's not it. Clearly it didn't hit anything.
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 07:02 PM	#32
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	Originally Posted by Lithrael Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. That's exactly what it looks like to me. The classic illustration is this photo archived at NOAA showing a lil finger of lightning that reached up but didn't become the main discharge path of the bolt. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/light...-hits-tree.jpg Great example - you're seeing the streamer off of the light pole, right?
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

2nd August 2011, 07:33 PM	#33
Mikemcc Muse Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 958	As an aside, the guy filming made a fundamental mistake on safety grounds. He started off close to the building , and then moved away. DON'T DO THAT! There is a degree of protection from being within a distance less than or equal to an object that can withstand lightning strikes. The guy started in a relatively 'safe' position , then made it much less safe. It's an elementary skill taught on the Mountain Leader training course - In a lightning storm, stay close to structures capable of withstanding and disippating strikes.
Mikemcc Muse Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 958

2nd August 2011, 07:53 PM	#34
Skeptic Ginger formerly skeptigirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shifting through paradigms Posts: 40,646	Originally Posted by Mikemcc As an aside, the guy filming made a fundamental mistake on safety grounds. He started off close to the building , and then moved away. DON'T DO THAT! There is a degree of protection from being within a distance less than or equal to an object that can withstand lightning strikes. The guy started in a relatively 'safe' position , then made it much less safe. It's an elementary skill taught on the Mountain Leader training course - In a lightning storm, stay close to structures capable of withstanding and disippating strikes. Except be careful what you are standing in/on. Lightning hit across from my son's school and the current went through the tree it hit, into the ground, and found its way into some power line that traveled to the school and shorted out all the clocks. I'm not sure what all it damaged. And a house nearby was struck and literally the porch lights blew off the house. I like formal advice for this kind of thing. It's good to review once in a while to clean up false memories. NY Health Dept advice: Quote: Seek Shelter Look for a large, enclosed building when a thunder or lightning storm threatens. That's the best choice. If you are in a car and it has a hard top, stay inside and keep the windows rolled up. Avoid small sheds and lean-tos or partial shelters, like pavilions. Stay at least a few feet away from open windows, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, electric boxes and outlets, and appliances. Lightning can flow through these symptoms and "jump" to a person. Do not shower or take a bath during a thunder or lightning storm Avoid using regular telephones, except in an emergency. If lightning hits the telephone lines, it could flow to the phone. Cell or cordless phones, not connected to the building's wiring, are safe to use. If you are caught outside: (If you are unable to reach a safe building or car, knowing what to do can save your life.) If your skin tingles or your hair stands on the end, a lightning strike may be about to happen. Crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together. Keep your hands on your knees and lower your head. Get as low as possible without touching your hands or knees to the ground. DO NOT LIE DOWN! If you are swimming, fishing or boating and there are clouds, dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning, get to land immediately and seek shelter. If you are in a boat and cannot get to shore, crouch down in the middle of the boat. Go below if possible. If you are on land, find a low spot away from trees, metal fences, pipes, tall or long objects. If you are in the woods, look for an area of shorter trees. Crouch down away from tree trunks.
	__________________ (*Tired of continuing to hear the "Democrat Party" repeatedly I've decided to adopt the name, ~~Pubbie Party, Repubs~~ "Republics" and Republic Party in response.)

2nd August 2011, 09:03 PM	#35
The Man Scourge, of the supernatural Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 7,525	Originally Posted by Lithrael Yeah, I was about to say the same thing. That's exactly what it looks like to me. The classic illustration is this photo archived at NOAA showing a lil finger of lightning that reached up but didn't become the main discharge path of the bolt. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/light...-hits-tree.jpg Yep, I was looking for some pictures but could find any (granted I did look all that far). That the OP might have gotten such a good shot (from the posted frame) of a failed streamer is a note worthy accomplishment. I clicked on the video link before but it didn't display, so I haven't seen the OP video yet. ETA: Looks like the OP streamer (if that is what it is) is coming up from the basketball post. Not a good time to be doing a dunk shot!!!
	__________________ "Not a seat but a springboard” (1942 Winston Churchill) "As he who, seeking asses, found a kingdom" (1671 Milton "Paradise Regained") "for it seem'd A void was made in nature, all her bonds Crack'd; and I saw the flaring atom-streams And torrents of her myriad universe, Ruining along the illimitable inane, Fly on to clash together again, and make Another and another frame of things For ever." (1868 Tennyson "Lucretius") Last edited by The Man; 2nd August 2011 at 09:10 PM. Reason: Forgot the quote & ETA

3rd August 2011, 05:04 AM	#36
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	Originally Posted by Mikemcc As an aside, the guy filming made a fundamental mistake on safety grounds. He started off close to the building , and then moved away. DON'T DO THAT! There is a degree of protection from being within a distance less than or equal to an object that can withstand lightning strikes. The guy started in a relatively 'safe' position , then made it much less safe. It's an elementary skill taught on the Mountain Leader training course - In a lightning storm, stay close to structures capable of withstanding and disippating strikes. Thunderstorms are a pretty big hobby we share. Sometimes the brain goes on pause.... Like the time I tried to beat a thunderstorm to the ski hill, and lost the race about 1/2 way up. With a tripod in my hand. Dumb....
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

3rd August 2011, 05:05 AM	#37
NoahFence Psycho Kitty Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Patriot Nation Posts: 9,343	Quote: I clicked on the video link before but it didn't display, so I haven't seen the OP video yet. Yea, I'm not entirely sure whey that didn't work, but I did include a direct link. It's pretty cool....
	__________________ Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau