All videos and images are copyrighted. No reproduction or use is authorized without written approval by Tom A. Warner.
Playback rate is 4.2 milliseconds elapsed time per second viewed for videos recorded at 7,2000 images per second and 30 milliseconds elapsed time per second viewed for videos recorded at 1,000 images per second.
Upward Lightning from a Tower
Upward lightning from a tower in Rapid City, South Dakota. Video captured on 6/16/08. Positive leaders propagate upward while recoil leaders later develop and propagate downward along some of the previously formed positive channels.
Extensive Negative Leader Development prior to a Negative Ground Flash
Extensive negative leader development precedes a negative ground flash captured north of Bear Butte, South Dakota on 6/1/08.
Positive Ground Flash with Recoil Leaders
A positive flash filmed near Red Shirt, South Dakota on 7/21/07. The flash shows many fast recoil leaders on the positive leader channels prior to the return stroke.
Bipolar Leader Development
The cloud flash starts with positive leader development and recoil leaders. Later, a burst of negative leader development is visible to the left of the positive leaders. Captured in Rapid City, South Dakota on 7/6/08.
Negative Ground Flash with 4 Return Strokes
A negative ground flash near Bear Butte, South Dakota captured on 7/9/07. A stepped leader preceeds the first return stroke. Dart leaders preceed the following three return strokes.
Downward Lightning Strike to a Tower
A tower strike captured on 8/3/07 in Rapid City, South Dakota. A stepped leader moves downward and causes a positive upward moving leader to form from the tower tip. The leaders connect causing the return stroke. Six more return strokes follow the first return stroke. Rain is visible in the foreground and a wiper comes into view near the end of the flash.
Positive Leaders
Positive leader development captured on 7/6/08 in Rapid City, South Dakota at 1,000 images per second. Two primary leaders travel right to left. Multiple recoil leaders visible.
Positive Leaders (Higher optical zoom and higher recording speed)
Positive leader development captured on 7/6/08 in Rapid City, South Dakota at 7,200 images per second. Higher optical zoom and higher recording speed of previous flash shown above.
Positive Ground Flash and Upward Leaders From Nearby Towers
A positive ground flash causes nearby towers to produce upward positive leaders. Most visible upward leader is just to the left of the positive ground flash return stroke channel. Flash captured in Rapid City, South Dakota on 6/25/08.
Upward Lightning from a Tower
Upward lightning from a tower in Rapid City, South Dakota captured on 8/6/08. Upward leader does not branch and exhibits recoil leaders near the end of the flash.
Negative Ground Flash
Negative ground flash captured just south of Rapid City, South Dakota on 7/21/07. Flash shows negative stepped leader/return stroke followed by a stepped-dart leader/return stroke. Four more dart leader/return strokes follow. Vehicle in the lower right is traveling at 60 mph. Wiper comes into view prior to the end of the video clip.
Return to ZT Research home page.