How thick is lightning?

Lightning lava is a natural long glass tube. The intensity of different lightning energy is not the same, but the thickness of the lightning can be estimated based on this. The diameter of lightning lava is only about 1cm, and the diameter of the thickest current channel does not exceed 20cm.

The reason why pencil-thick lightning can be seen at a long distance is because the dark sky is full of water vapor, and the lightning illuminates the surrounding space. Coupled with the phenomenon of persistence of vision, it gives people It creates the illusion that the diameter of lightning is very thick. So, although it looks four meters wide, Lightning is just puffy.

Although lightning is very thin, it can be extremely long. The World Meteorological Organization once listed "the longest lightning in history" as an extreme weather record. During heavy rain in Oklahoma, USA, a 200-mile-long lightning bolt appeared.

It is very dangerous to stay outside during extreme thunderstorms like this. Therefore, some meteorologists recommend that everyone use the "30-30 rule" to determine the safety of outdoor weather during a storm.

To put it simply, count the seconds from when you see lightning. If you hear thunder after counting for 30 seconds, it means it is still safe to stay outdoors; and if you hear thunder within 30 seconds, It's better to run to the house and hide.