heat lightning

Meaning

1. Lightning and/or thunder which the observer attributes to heat rather than a storm (e.g. because the storm/rain is too distant to be seen, or because there is no rain, as with dry lighting).
2. Lightning and/or thunder which the observer attributes to heat rather than a storm (e.g. because the storm/rain is too distant to be seen, or because there is no rain, as with dry lighting).
3. Lightning and/or thunder which the observer attributes to heat rather than a storm (e.g. because the storm/rain is too distant to be seen, or because there is no rain, as with dry lighting).

Synonyms

summer lightning

be shiny

sheet lighting

Translations

Wetterleuchten

éclair de chaleur

fulguration

éclair en nappe

weerlicht

Etymology

So called because it is common on hot summer nights and is sometimes popularly thought to be caused by heat rather storms.