How hot is the plasma inside a lightning stroke?

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How scientists use lasers to learn about the universe — plasma Learn about the PHELIX (Petawatt High-Energy Laser for Heavy Ion Experiments) laser at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany. PHELIX is used for plasma and atomic physics research.

When a lightning stroke occurs, it rapidly heats the surrounding air into a plasma state. The temperature within this high-energy channel is approximately 30,000 °C (50,000 °F), which is about five times hotter than the surface of the Sun.123

While some scientific contexts may reference temperatures around 20,000 K for specific oxygen-nitrogen plasma conditions within a stroke, the peak temperatures typically cited for the return-stroke channel are on the order of 30,000 °C (50,000 °F). This intense heating happens in mere microseconds, causing the air to expand at supersonic speeds and creating the shock waves that we hear as thunder. Given these extreme temperatures and the high electrical currents involved, it is essential to prioritize safety and avoid proximity to lightning strikes.4132