Lightning originates from strong electric fields created by the separation of electrical charges within storm clouds. Inside a thunderstorm cloud, turbulent winds cause collisions between water droplets, ice crystals, and hail. These collisions transfer electrons, resulting in the cloud having a negatively charged bottom and a positively charged top

. As the charges build up, the air between these opposite charges acts as an insulator until the electrical potential becomes so strong that the insulating capacity of the air breaks down. This breakdown allows a rapid discharge of electricity-lightning-to occur, either within the cloud (intra-cloud lightning) or between the cloud and the ground (cloud-to-ground lightning)

. The process starts with small steps called "stepped leaders," which are ionized channels that propagate through the air, allowing the lightning bolt to form and discharge the accumulated electrical energy

. Lightning can also occur in other natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and hurricanes, wherever strong charge separation and atmospheric disturbances exist

. In summary, lightning comes from the electrical charge separation inside storm clouds caused by collisions of ice and water particles, leading to a powerful electrical discharge when the insulating air breaks down between regions of opposite charge