In summer, hot nights will flash like lightning, which is called hot light by the older generation. I wonder if this phenomenon exists.

This question reminds me that I often meet the hot light mentioned by the older generation in summer and I really want to know the scientific explanation. After consulting some information, some people say it is "thermal lightning" or "sheet lightning". Because the sound is attenuated in a long distance and absorbed by the clouds, I can only see the lightning and not smell the thunder. However, I don't quite agree with thunder and lightning. Why does hot light appear in summer and last for a long time?

I guess it is "glow discharge effect" or "arc discharge effect". Under the action of hot air, two layers of clouds with positive and negative charges ionize the air between the two layers of clouds, which is caused by ion movement and discharge under the action of cloud electric field. Because it is not the contact discharge of clouds, the discharge is not strong enough, with glow and no lightning, which can last for a long time. Ion movement leads to charge recombination and electric field change, so intermittent flash occurs.

This is my own answer, I hope someone can give me a positive answer.