h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

1.IS LIGHTING ALWAYS ACCOMPANY BY RAIN?

2.WHY THE RAIN DROPS ARE MUDDY SOMETIMES?

3.WHAT HAPPENES TO THE ENERGY RELEASED BY LIGHTNING?

4.DOES IT RAIN IN SEA?

PLEASE REPLY TO THIS

1. No. Lightning can be generated within a plume from a volcano. And lightning is also seen on other planets (this may be volcanic too?). But the mechanism for "normal" lightning formation relies on falling water droplets, so yes it will usually be raining. I don't know if lightning can form within clouds whose rain doesn't reach the surface. I have also seen lightning from a snowstorm in the UK.

2. Rain from an airmass that reaches the UK via the Sahara, for example, may contain residues as sand is picked up. When the rain dries, on cars most noticeably, it leaves a "muddy" appearance. Note that this is most likely to occur the day after you have cleaned your car

3. I would assume it is released as heat, which rapidly expands the surrounding air (i.e. thunder).

4. In the sea? No. At sea, yes.