Boulder County, Colorado. Lightning thunderstorm 06.05.09 Lightning Striking the ground with a car trail in the foreground. Fact: The negatively charged bottom part of the storm sends out an invisible charge toward the ground. When the charge gets close to the ground, it is attracted by all the positively charged objects, and a channel develops. The subsequent electrical transfer in the channel is lightning. Buy Prints, Posters and Greeting Cards available all sizes. Great for your home, office or makes a GREAT gift AND supports a Storm Chaser TOO ;-)!.