In what temperature range is lightning most prevalent in thunderstorms?

Lightning is most prevalent in thunderstorms when the temperature is between +8° and -8°C. This temperature range is critical because it coincides with the presence of supercooled water droplets and ice particles within a thunderstorm.

In this range, the conditions are conducive for the collision of ice crystals, which facilitates the transfer of electric charge. The ice particles and supercooled water droplets interact, creating a structure within the storm that promotes the separation of charges. The negatively charged particles tend to gather at the lower parts of the storm cloud, while positive charges accumulate higher up. This charge separation leads to the buildup of electrical energy, which is eventually released as lightning when the potential difference becomes sufficient.

Conversely, temperatures above +10°C typically indicate a lack of sufficient ice and supercooled drops, reducing the likelihood of charge separation necessary for lightning. Furthermore, temperatures below -10°C may also diminish collisions among particles, as the formation of ice begins to dominate, leading to different storm dynamics. Thus, the range between +8° and -8°C is optimal for the processes that produce lightning.