lynedslag

Lysedslag is a term sometimes used to describe a specific type of lightning strike. While not a formal meteorological classification, it generally refers to a lightning discharge that illuminates the sky without the distinct thunderclap typically associated with a direct strike. This phenomenon is often observed during distant thunderstorms where the sound waves are attenuated by atmospheric conditions or distance before reaching the observer.

The visual aspect of lysedslag is the bright flash of light produced by the electrical discharge within or between clouds, or between the clouds and the ground. The absence or significant muffling of thunder suggests that the sound energy from the lightning channel has been weakened. This can occur due to factors such as the sound waves traveling through varying atmospheric densities, temperature gradients, or simply the great distance between the lightning event and the observer.

In some contexts, the term might also be used to describe heat lightning, which is essentially the same visual phenomenon occurring at such a distance that the thunder is inaudible. It's important to note that lysedslag is not a different physical process of lightning, but rather a description of how the lightning is perceived by an observer, specifically emphasizing the visual component over the auditory one. The underlying electrical discharge is the same as any other lightning strike.