There are several different basic classifications of lightning that can occur. Cloud to Ground (CG)- A CG lightning strike has a connection between the ground and a thunderstorm cloud. These are the strikes that are dangerous for people and objects on the ground Cloud to Cloud (CC or intracloud)- A CC lightning strike stays within the same cloud (intracloud) or travels from one cloud to another. They can brightly light up a cloud and a cloud may appear different colors depending on the contents in the cloud such as hail. Cloud to Air (CA)- A CA lightning strike connects a cloud with some location within the air that is not another cloud nor the ground. |