Did you know that lightning is actually good for crops and growing conditions?

So says, CTV Calgary Meteorologist David Spence.

“Lightning is an excellent source of nitrogen, it’s a great fertilizer,” according to Spence, who adds that the air is 78% nitrogen but plants can’t use it.

“A bolt of lightning causes the air to expand and heat up and literally shatter the nitrogen molecules, which then combine with oxygen and form nitrates.”

The rain then grabs those particles and brings them down to the ground where plants can use them.

Spence says the benefit would vary from storm to storm, but says one thunderstorm is going to be much more of a benefit than just irrigation.

“You are irrigating with just water, but when a thunderstorm rolls through you are getting water and nitrogen.”

Nature’s very own fertilizer.

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