When the sky flickers nonstop and thunder is roaring consistently, you may be witnessing more than just a passing storm, you may be experiencing a lightning outbreak. This term refers to an unusually high concentration of lightning strikes over a relatively short period of time, typically associated with powerful storm systems. It’s not just dramatic; it’s dangerous.

A lightning outbreak often occurs when conditions in the atmosphere are primed for intense thunderstorm development. The perfect environment for towering cumulonimbus clouds and explosive lightning activity. These outbreaks can span multiple states and produce tens or even hundreds of thousands of lightning flashes in a single day.

Beyond the spectacle, lightning outbreaks pose serious risks. They can spark wildfires, knock out power grids, damage infrastructure, and threaten lives. In some cases, lightning outbreaks have occurred without much rainfall, increasing the fire danger in drought-prone areas. Meteorologists monitor lightning in real time, offering crucial insights during these high-impact events.

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While not an official meteorological term with a strict definition, “lightning outbreak” has become a useful way to describe a specific kind of severe weather event, one where the sheer volume of lightning is both a signal and a threat.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.