It is believed that cloud-to-ground lightning is vertical, but according to global research, these bolts can travel horizontally for 10, 15, 20km or even more, resulting in a lightning strike without a prior storm, under a clear sky. The conditions for dry lightning to occur are the same as for any storm: the interaction between particles with different charges.
In January 2013, a security camera at the Rionegro airport in Antioquia, Colombia, recorded a dry lightning strike hitting an airplane while it was parking.
In another case, just a few days ago, more than 70 soldiers were affected by this phenomenon. This happened when, suddenly and with no threat of rain, a lightning bolt struck in the middle of the platoon.
For this reason, if a storm is spotted in the distance, experts recommend suspending any outdoor activities.
