forked lightning
Sky's splitting discharge
Forked lightning is lightning that appears to branch into multiple paths as it travels from cloud to ground, creating a jagged, tree-like pattern across the sky.
The term distinguishes this visible, branching form from sheet lightning, which illuminates clouds without showing a distinct bolt: Forked lightning split the sky during the storm.
Angled back-and-forth path
- jaggedSharply uneven, notched
- bifurcatedDivided into two branches
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
- splitSeparation into parts
dendritic · fractal · veined · pronged · ramified · divergent · arborescent · tributaries
Threaded rod for nuts
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- flashBrief burst of light
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- thunderboltElectric sky discharge with boom
instantaneous · fleeting · momentary · split-second · transient · sudden · abrupt · crack
Death from electrical current
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- deadlyAble to cause expiration
- fatalCausing death or ruin
- hazardSource of potential harm
peril · strike · grounding · shelter · rubber · insulation · conductivity · risk
Violent weather with lightning
- cumulonimbusTowering storm-producing cloud
- thunderStorm's acoustic aftermath
- downpourIntense precipitation event
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
squall · cloudbursts · precipitation · atmosphere · monsoon · supercell · anvil cloud · barometric
Overwhelmingly bright or impressive
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- strikingNoticeably impressive
- vividIntensely clear and bright
awe-inspiring · breathtaking · stunning · illumination · night sky · silhouette · photography · time-lapse
zigzag
Angled back-and-forth path
- jaggedSharply uneven, notched
- bifurcatedDivided into two branches
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
split · dendritic · fractal · veined · pronged · ramified · divergent · arborescent · tributaries · tendrils
bolt
Threaded rod for nuts
thunderbolt · instantaneous · fleeting · momentary · split-second · transient · sudden · abrupt · crack · flicker
electrocution
Death from electrical current
hazard · peril · strike · grounding · shelter · rubber · insulation · conductivity · risk · treacherous
thunderstorm
Violent weather with lightning
- cumulonimbusTowering storm-producing cloud
- thunderStorm's acoustic aftermath
- downpourIntense precipitation event
tempest · squall · cloudbursts · precipitation · atmosphere · monsoon · supercell · anvil cloud · barometric · meteorology
dazzling
Overwhelmingly bright or impressive
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- strikingNoticeably impressive
vivid · awe-inspiring · breathtaking · stunning · illumination · night sky · silhouette · photography · time-lapse · exposure
- Thunderstormsthunder, thunderstorm, thunderclap, thunder roll, thunder rumble
- Lightningbolt, flash, thunderbolt, cloud-to-ground, intracloud
- Electrical Dischargesarc, spark, corona, electric arc, electric spark