Intracloud and inter-cloud lightning are collectively called cloud flashes as the lightning occurs within and around a cloud system, lighting up the whole area for a split second. Like intracloud lightning, it is also known as sheet lightning due to its ability to light up an entire cloud system. Inter-Cloud lightning occurs when the electrical discharge occurs between the positive pole of one independent cloud and the negative pole of another independent cloud. 2) Cloud-To-Cloud (Inter-Cloud) Lightning It is also known as sheet lightning due to its ability to light up an entire cloud, giving it the appearance of a big white sheet with a bright light behind it. As a result, the majority of lightning never leaves a cloud system. This is by far the most common form of lightning, accounting for roughly three-quarters of all lightning strikes. Intracloud lightning occurs when an electrical discharge occurs between the positive and negative poles within a single cloud once the atmosphere can no longer act as an insulator between the two charges.
While describing the lightning strikes that are characteristic of each main category, we will also take a look at a few of the more significant and noteworthy subcategories.
Some of these three main types of lightning groups contain a variety of subcategories.