Lightning

Lightning is a huge electrical spark that forms inside thunderclouds. It is created as warm air rises to form water droplets that brush past each other causing static electricity. This electricity seeks an equilibrium between areas of opposite electrical charges. Lightning bolts follow the path of least resistance, either connecting from one cloud to another, discharging into the air, or striking the ground. Bolts are often a negative charge attracted to a positive charge on the ground. Ground-strike lightning makes a round trip from cloud to ground and back. The first part are invisible ionized channels of air, called stepped leaders, that reach down from the cloud. Surprisingly, the visible flash we see is not coming down, it’s actually the return stroke traveling up from the ground. Cumulonimbus is the cloud type that produces most lightning. These enormous vertical storm clouds are also known as thunderheads!

Lightning often finds the most exposed, highest object on the ground, such as a tree, boat or building. It also seeks the most conductive material, including a metal antenna or lightning rod (thank Ben Franklin for this wonderful invention). While thunderstorms may be vast, lightning bolts are narrow, so it is hard to know where they might strike. Lightning superheats the air to over 50,000 degrees F (30,000 degrees C), hotter than the sun’s surface. The air forcefully expands and produces a shock wave that we hear as thunder. Light travels faster than sound, so we always see lightning before we hear thunder. At any given moment on Earth, there are about 2,000 storms flashing lightening and blasting thunder.

Upper atmospheric lighting is incredibly stunning, yet quite hard to see. Special phenomena called sprites, elves and blue jets are active above thunderclouds. Sprites can be greenish blue with tendrils hanging down, elves are red disks and blue jets are narrow cones that fan out. If you are not in an airplane, you might climb the Rocky Mountains at night to catch a glimpse of these weather wonders.

Product Size: 6" x 5" x 3.5"

Thunderheads are sewn and crafted using recycled fibers that meet Global Recycling Standards. There are no plastic parts, only high-quality soft fabrics and embroidered eyes and details. The attached educational cards are printed from recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. 

Thunderheads meet and surpass all US safety standards. Regular size Thunderheads are appropriate and safe for all ages. Key chain size Thunderheads are only for age 3 and up. 

Hand wash only using a damp cloth and warm water.  Air dry.  We do not recommend cleaning in a washing machine or drying in a drier.  Check all labels upon arrival of purchase. 

From this website, we deliver within the United States.  We ship orders within 1–2 business days once they are received. Please see the link at page bottom for international orders. We're confident that you'll love your Thunderheads purchase, but if you need to make a return for any reason, we accept returns within 14 days of your purchase date. Please note, we only accept items in their original condition with the tags still attached. See the page bottom for further details.