Treetops Emit UV Glows During Thunderstorms in North Carolina
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from Penn State have captured a rare weather phenomenon where treetops emit ultraviolet (UV) glows during thunderstorms. This phenomenon, known as corona discharge, occurs when a thunderstorm's electric field builds up overhead, causing weak electrical sparks to form on the tips of leaves. These discharges are significant as they produce hydroxyl radicals, which help clean pollutants from the atmosphere. The research team used a specialized UV camera to detect these faint glows, which are nearly invisible to the naked eye. The study was conducted in Pembroke, North Carolina, where the team observed hundreds of tiny UV flashes on sweetgum and loblolly pine trees during a thunderstorm. This discovery confirms long-held suspicions about corona discharges and their potential impact on air quality and storm behavior. 
