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How many volts are in lightning?

A stroke of lightning discharges up to several hundred million volts of electricity and produces a current up to several hundred thousand amperes. (Volts and amperes are measures of electricity.) In an average lightning stroke there are 30,000 amperes. By way of comparison, 240 volts and a current of 1 ampere flow through a 100-watt light bulb.

Sources: Robinson, Andrew. Earthshock, p. 148; Tufty, Barbara. 1001 Questions Answered About Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Other Natural Air Disasters, p. 126.

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