A Single Bolt of Lightning Heats Air Five Times Hotter Than the Sun’s Surface
The air around a lightning strike can reach 30,000 °C, far hotter than the 5,500 °C surface of the Sun. This extreme heat causes the rapid expansion that creates thunder. Lightning also produces ozone and nitrogen compounds essential for plant growth.
💡 Fun detail:
A single storm can produce over 100 lightning strikes per minute, releasing energy comparable to a small nuclear explosion.
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration