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Lightning traveling through open air emits white light, but can appear in different colors depending on local atmospheric conditions. Distant lightning can appear red or orange the same way the setting sun does, due to moisture, haze, dust, etc in the lower levels of the atmosphere. Light emitted by lightning has a similar visible spectrum as sunlight (white light), so the atmosphere should shift the colors of both the same way - given there is enough distance between the lightning and the observer.
When lightning strikes an object or the ground, the lightning channel is often a deep red or orange color for its last ten feet or so above the ground or the target object. Lightning striking a tree will appear a bright, fiery orange/red color for the length of the channel traveling down the tree.
Lightning photographs: The hue of lightning channels in photographs is usually a function of the type of film, camera, exposure, white balance and/or recording media used. The same lightning channel can appear blue, purple, red or orange depending on the type of film, length of exposure, and other factors. Slide film is more likely to produce a more purple/blue image, while print film tends to give lightning a more yellow/orange tint.
BELOW LEFT: The lower few feet of lightning striking an object will often appear orange or red. RIGHT: Lightning channels appear fiery red and orange when traveling down a tree.
Green Lightning?
Green/turquoise flashes and/or changing colors: A flash of light in the sky that lingers, pulses and/or changes colors is not lightning, but electrical arcing from shorted-out power lines. These arcs are called 'power flashes' and can be triggered by a variety of severe weather - including ice storms, high winds, tornadoes, or by a direct lightning strike. Electrical arcing, whether caused by lightning, ice or wind damage, is very intense, can be as bright as lightning, can illuminate the entire sky and can change color from blue, green, turquoise, red and orange. When lightning strikes an energized power line, an electrical flashover arc can result. Lightning-triggered flashover arcs usually begin during the strike and linger for a few seconds after the strike is over. See our article about flashover arcs for a more in-depth look.Power flashes are often incorrectly referred to as 'exploding transformers'. Only a few power flashes are actually transformer explosions - most are caused by shorted-out lines due to broken, crisscrossed or fallen wires.
Below is an image of a power flash caused by falling tree limbs during an ice storm in St. Louis, Missouri:
About the Author: Dan Robinson has been a storm chaser, photographer and cameraman for 30 years. His career has involved traveling around the country covering the most extreme weather on the planet including tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, floods and winter storms. Dan has been extensively published in newspapers, magazines, web articles and more, and has both supplied footage for and appeared in numerous television productions and newscasts. He has also been involved in the research community, providing material for published scientific journal papers on tornadoes and lightning. Dan also holds an active Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA (Part 107) for commercial drone operation.
See Also:
 |  | Power arcs caused by storm events The 'real story' behind the flashes mistakenly called 'exploding transformers'. |
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 | | Flashovers and Strikes to Power Lines A commonly seen, but frequently misidentified phenomenon observed when lightning strikes an energized power line. |
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 | | FAQ: What causes a blue-green flash during a storm? |
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As a seasoned storm chaser, photographer, and cameraman with over 30 years of experience, my expertise lies in capturing extreme weather phenomena, including tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, floods, and winter storms. Throughout my career, I have extensively documented and studied various atmospheric events, providing material for scientific journal papers on tornadoes and lightning. My work has been featured in newspapers, magazines, web articles, television productions, and newscasts. I hold an active Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA (Part 107) for commercial drone operation, showcasing my commitment to exploring weather events from multiple perspectives.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Color of Lightning:
- Lightning traveling through open air emits white light, but its color can vary based on atmospheric conditions.
- Distant lightning can appear red or orange, similar to the setting sun, due to factors like moisture, haze, and dust in the lower atmosphere.
- When lightning strikes an object or the ground, the lightning channel is often a deep red or orange color for its last ten feet above the ground or the target object.
-
Photography of Lightning:
- The color of lightning channels in photographs is influenced by factors such as the type of film, camera, exposure, white balance, and recording media used.
- The same lightning channel can appear blue, purple, red, or orange in photographs, depending on the type of film and other photographic settings.
- Slide film tends to produce a more purple/blue image, while print film gives lightning a more yellow/orange tint.
-
Green/Turquoise Flashes:
- Green/turquoise flashes in the sky that linger, pulse, and change colors are not lightning but electrical arcing from shorted-out power lines.
- These arcs, known as 'power flashes,' can be triggered by severe weather conditions like ice storms, high winds, tornadoes, or direct lightning strikes.
- Power flashes can illuminate the entire sky and change color from blue, green, turquoise, red, and orange.
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Power Flashes and Misconceptions:
- Power flashes are often incorrectly referred to as 'exploding transformers,' but most are caused by shorted-out power lines due to broken, crisscrossed, or fallen wires.
- Lightning-triggered flashover arcs can result in power flashes, beginning during the lightning strike and lingering for a few seconds after.
- A power flash caused by falling tree limbs during an ice storm in St. Louis, Missouri, is presented as an example.
The author, Dan Robinson, concludes the article by sharing his extensive background and involvement in the research community, emphasizing his commitment to providing accurate and insightful information about extreme weather events.
