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First-Ever Discovery: Trees Emit UV Light During Storms

3/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers documented coronae, weak electrical discharges, on treetops during thunderstorms for the first time.
The study in Geophysical Research Letters shows these discharges emit ultraviolet light invisible to the naked eye.
Scientists captured 859 UV signals from trees in North Carolina during a storm using a modified minivan equipped with specialized cameras, suggesting thunderstorms may cause tree canopies to emit a faint blue light that could affect tree health and forest air quality.

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Story summary

Researchers documented coronae, weak electrical discharges, on treetops during thunderstorms for the first time.
The study in Geophysical Research Letters shows these discharges emit ultraviolet light invisible to the naked eye.
Scientists captured 859 UV signals from trees in North Carolina during a storm using a modified minivan equipped with specialized cameras, suggesting thunderstorms may cause tree canopies to emit a faint blue light that could affect tree health and forest air quality.