What Is Side Flash?
When lightning hits something tall, like a tree, and jumps sideways to a person standing nearby. In technical terms: A discharge that jumps from a struck object to a nearby lower-impedance path (such as a person) when current through the object produces a large voltage drop; responsible for roughly 30 percent of lightning casualties, especially under trees.
Also called: Side Splash
Side Flash In Plain English
When lightning hits something tall, like a tree, and jumps sideways to a person standing nearby.
The Technical Definition
A discharge that jumps from a struck object to a nearby lower-impedance path (such as a person) when current through the object produces a large voltage drop; responsible for roughly 30 percent of lightning casualties, especially under trees.
Lessons That Use Side Flash
- Lightning Safety Unit 7: Thunderstorms And Lightning
