No, "pink thunder" isn't a scientifically recognized phenomenon like, say, a bolt of lightning being blue or purple due to atmospheric conditions. The reference mentions pink (and green) as sometimes described colors of lightning in specific atmospheric situations—snowstorms. This doesn't mean pink lightning is a distinct type, but rather that the usual white light of a lightning bolt can appear pink due to atmospheric scattering and absorption of light by particles like dust, moisture, or hailstones within the snowstorm.
Understanding the Color of Lightning
The color of lightning is primarily determined by the way light interacts with the atmosphere. A typical lightning bolt appears white, but atmospheric conditions can shift the perception of color.
- White Lightning: This is the most common type, resulting from the equal distribution of all colors in the visible light spectrum.
- Colored Lightning: Variations in color arise from atmospheric components influencing the light's wavelength:
- Red Lightning: Often seen at the base of a thunderstorm due to scattering by particles.
- Blue/Purple Lightning: Associated with extremely hot channels and increased ionization levels.
- Yellow/Orange Lightning: Implies the presence of dust or other particles in the air.
- Pink/Green Lightning: As the reference notes, these colors are observed infrequently, most often associated with snowstorms and are due to the unique atmospheric conditions in this specific weather phenomenon.
The key takeaway is that the description of "pink thunder" is less about a specific kind of lightning and more about the perception of a typical lightning bolt’s color being altered by the atmospheric conditions during a snowstorm.
