One thing that immediately becomes
obvious when compiling data about ball lightning is that its attributes can be
quite varied. Many eyewitness accounts would seemingly contradict each
other. For example, although ball lightning is normally observed during
thunderstorm activity, reports of its occurrence in broad daylight are not
uncommon. It has been seen originating at the point of impact of an
ordinary lightning strike, hanging in mid-air between the ground and a thunder
head, and even descending from a cloud to the ground. Ball lightning is
usually spherical in shape, between a centimeter and a meter in diameter, and
comes in every color of the rainbow. No one color seems to be
characteristic of ball lightning. It is not unheard of for ball lightning
to change both its size and color. Though it is not especially bright, it
is easily seen in daylight.
Ball lightning lasts usually under
five seconds yet can go on for as long as a minute. It can move at speeds
of several meters per second. . .or simply sit still. Many reports
describe ball lightning as spinning or rotating; others say that a lack of
asymmetry makes it impossible to tell if the ball lightning is moving on its
axis.
Oddly enough, these "great balls of
fire" do not possess many of the physical attributes of combustibility.
There have been almost no reports describing a sensation of heat surrounding
ball lightning. Although some reports depict ball lightning as burning
barns and melting wires, others claim that it is capable of passing through
windows and other non-conductive materials with little or no damage. Ball
lightning does, however, seem to be attracted to metallic objects, just as
ordinary lightning is.
Ball lightning is almost always
described as having a repugnant smell. The odor is said to be sharp,
resembling ozone, burning sulphur, or nitric oxide.
When its short lifespan comes to a
close, ball lightning usually decays in one of two ways. Sometimes it
disappears rapidly with the addition of a loud noise. At other times it
dissipates slowly and silently. Ball lightning is occasionally reported to break
up into several smaller balls. Others describe that a hazy mist or residue
remains where the lightning was.
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