Definition
The bright, visible portion of a lightning discharge in which a powerful surge of current flows upward from the ground to the cloud along the ionized channel established by a preceding leader stroke. The return stroke produces the intense flash, heat, and thunder associated with lightning.
Plain English
When lightning strikes, a faint path of charged air first reaches down from the cloud toward the ground. The return stroke is the bright flash that follows, as electricity rushes back up that path. It is the part of lightning we actually see and hear.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation weather discussions about thunderstorms, lightning, and hazards near convective clouds.
Derivation
Called a 'return' stroke because the visible discharge travels back up the channel that the initial (downward) leader stroke created. The current returns along the path the leader pioneered.
Why Pilots Care
Lightning involving return strokes can cause structural damage or electrical interference to aircraft, making avoidance critical during flight planning.
Grounding Statement
The return stroke is the moment the hidden electrical buildup becomes the bright lightning flash.
Intuition Check
Do not read “return stroke” as lightning bouncing back after it hits the ground. It means a powerful electrical discharge using the lightning path that was just created.
Example Sentence 1
The brilliant flash of a lightning bolt is the return stroke moving from the ground back up to the cloud.
Example Sentence 2
Understanding the return stroke helps pilots recognize active cloud-to-ground lightning during preflight weather checks.