This chapter starts with examining lightning. The types of lightning, the method for monitoring lightning strikes, the process for a lightning strike to occur and lightning safety. Lightning can be extremely dangerous, and staying safe while outside requires a situational awareness that lightning may be in your vicinity.

Thunderstorms and lightning happen together. Hence, this chapter examines the three different types of thunderstorms, the structure of a thunderstorm, features which distinguish basic thunderstorms from extremely strong thunderstorms, and methods to recognize these types of thunderstorms using weather radar observations. Weather radar is the primary method for monitoring and forecasting the short-term development of thunderstorms. This chapter examines how a weather radar works, the basic types of data which are available and techniques for determine the quality of weather radar data.

Once a learner has completed this chapter, they will be able to:

1. Describe the sequence involved in the formation of lightning.

2. Describe the types of thunderstorms and the differences between them.

3. Explain how a weather radar operates.

4. Describe the limitations of radar observations and factors that may affect data quality.