Thunderstorms conjure ghostly coronae in treetops, observed outdoors for the first time
Phys.org
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
For the first time, scientists have observed weak electrical discharges, known as coronae, appearing on tree branches during thunderstorms. These faint, blue-tinged sparkles were spotted on various tree species along the U.S. East Coast in 2024. The phenomenon occurs when strong electric fields from thunderstorms induce charges in trees, causing a subtle discharge that forms near the treetops.
The coronae are too dim for human eyes to see without specialized equipment, but they could play a role in how lightning interacts with the environment. Researchers speculate that these discharges might contribute to broader atmospheric effects during storms, potentially influencing weather patterns or even fire risks in forests. The discovery adds a new layer of understanding to the complex electrical processes at work during thunderstorms.
This groundbreaking observation highlights the intricate relationship between natural ecosystems and atmospheric phenomena. While the coronae themselves are imperceptible to most observers, their existence opens up new avenues for studying bioelectrical interactions in nature. For science enthusiasts, this finding underscores how even seemingly familiar natural events—like thunderstorms—can still hold surprising secrets waiting to be uncovered.
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/24/2026