AccuWeather.com

The WeatherMatrix Blog

Theory of a Big Bang: Johnny Galecki Struck by Lightning

Jul 27, 2011; 11:50 AM ET

The CBS Late Show has an interview with Johnny Galecki of CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" (available on my Facebook Page and below) telling his harrowing tale of (nearly) being struck by lightning while hiking in Yosemite National Park recently:

Although his account is amusing, he is a very lucky man, as few live to tell his tale. From what his Astrophysicist friend said, it sounds like Johnny became an "upward leader" or "positive streamer." To borrow this (cheesy) animation from WikiPedia, he was one of several red lines that ended up not connecting with the blue line. Lightning "searches" for a path that will ground its charge most efficiently, and Johnny is lucky that something else proved better.

If he was indeed a streamer, then he is one of the few people who have survived without injury very near a lightning strike. Catching a positive streamer on film is extremely rare; ironically, a photo taken in 1984 by another Johnny (Autery) is one of the most famous "streamer" photos - showing two upward streamers that didn't connect with the final lightning strike. A couple storm chasers have done it, in fact I blogged about the photo below that appears to have shown a streamer last year (most photos that claim to show them are actually showing ghost lightning).

Since the interview doesn't say when the event took place, I can't pull a lightning data map, but it's not uncommon to see lightning strikes in the Rockies during the Summer, sometimes from storms that aren't producing much rain. Let this be a lesson to you, hikers. Carry a lightning detector and take shelter when you see ominous clouds. The next person won't be so lucky.

In other recent lightning news, a new 3-D lightning sensor on a NOAA satellite may prove once-and-for-all whether there is a relationship between lightning (or lack thereof) and tornadoes. Below is an animation. More information is available in the ABC7 blog, but this area of study is still very young and some meteorologists are still skeptical.

Several years ago, I first blogged about the theoretical relationship in my "Lightning Seminar" series: the lack of cloud-to-ground lightning near severe weather events may in fact explain why storm chasers aren't frequently struck by lightning.

For additional breaking news on lightning and other extreme weather, "Like" my Facebook Page.

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of AccuWeather, Inc. or AccuWeather.com

blogs Home >

Comments

Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

J's Breaking Weather News

WeatherMatrix on Facebook

The J-Cams in HD

About The J-Cams

More Jesse Ferrell

A Record Early Hurricane Season?

May 23, 2012; 10:39 AM ET

Both the Atlantic and East Pacific tropical seasons got an early start; could Tropical Storm Bud become the earliest East Pacific major hurricane on record?

Eight Days and Weak: Blogitis, Silent Sirens, Other News

May 18, 2012; 12:50 PM ET

So I haven't blogged in over a week -- at least I had my nose in a book. Plus: What you missed it you're not following me on social media!

Strange Vertical Sunset Clouds in Pittsburgh

May 10, 2012; 12:37 PM ET

There were strange clouds sighted last night at sunset in Pittsburgh. The clouds looked like tornadoes, but I've had experience with these.

LRR and Tornado Eye: Interesting Weather Radar Images

May 8, 2012; 2:41 PM ET

I've got a story about a newly-discovered supercell thunderstorm component, and a radar image that may show the eye of a tornado.

500,000 Lightning Strikes Provide Awesome Photos

May 3, 2012; 12:59 PM ET

Already this week, over half a million lightning strikes have hit the Earth over the U.S., making for incredible lightning photographs across the nation.

Incredible Photos, Videos of a Tornado in France

Apr 30, 2012; 10:00 AM ET

Beautiful pictures of a tornado were captured in Southwest France Sunday. I show the photos and videos, as well as a radar image.

Maps: Tennessee MCS Shoves on through

Apr 26, 2012; 11:55 AM ET

A terrifying-looking Mesoscale Convective System moved through Kentucky and Tennessee and into North Carolina this morning, and I've captured its lifecycle on maps.

Which Storm Took Down Myer-Womble Observatory?

Apr 25, 2012; 12:41 PM ET

High winds at 14,000 feet took out the U.S.'s highest observatory this winter, but when did it happen? I investigate observations from nearby stations.

April Appalachian Snow Photos and Timelapse

Apr 23, 2012; 1:18 PM ET

The April Appalachian snow event is underway, and I've got photos and two awesome timelapse videos.

Models on Possible Bookend Northeast Snowstorm

Apr 20, 2012; 9:28 AM ET

The models are starting to agree on a possible "bookend" snowstorm in the Northeast in a few days, but first, the front with a possible squall line.

Behind the Scenes: NWS Spring Media Workshop

Apr 19, 2012; 1:37 PM ET

It was a pleasure to attend the NWS "Spring 2012 Media Workshop" today. We discussed River Forecasting / Drought Status, Forecasting PA Thunderstorms and Social Media.

Harrisburg, Columbia Flood Comparison Photos

Apr 17, 2012; 11:02 AM ET

The trick with getting flood photos to look impressive is to compare them to the same place when it's dry. Last week I revisited the 2011 Pennsylvania Flood areas to compare.

Don't Have A Cow: Simpsons Springfield Weather

Apr 11, 2012; 12:36 PM ET

The Simpsons live in Springfield, but what state? It would seem that Matt Groening has now set the record straight, but whither the weather featured in the show?

Pennsylvania Spring 2011 vs. Spring 2012, in Photos

Apr 11, 2012; 12:13 PM ET

Every spring, people say that flowers & trees are coming out earlier than last year. This year, they really are and I set out to prove it, by comparing photos I took in 2011 to 2012.

Before and After Images from Arlington Tornado

Apr 7, 2012; 7:51 AM ET

Our aerial comparison of the Texas tornado damage was interesting to see, but I zoomed in and got a street level view too.