How Can St. Elmo's Fire Be Distinguished From Lightning?

💡 The Answer

• St. Elmo's fire is a continuous, silent glow, while lightning is a brief, loud flash.
• It forms only on pointed conductors, whereas lightning can strike any conductive path through the sky.
• The discharge is low-energy corona, not a high-energy arc, so it causes no damage and produces no thunder.
• Observers see a static-like brush of blue or violet light, not a jagged bolt.