Impressive Lightning Strike Captured Outside Pennsylvania Home

Video shows booming thunder as lightning touches down and lights up surrounding trees.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:50pm

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An impressive lightning strike was captured hitting the ground outside a home in Western Pennsylvania. Video shared with sister station WTAE by Robert Erdely captured the booming thunder as the lightning touched the ground and lit up the surrounding trees. Western Pennsylvania was blanketed in heavy rain as thunderstorm and flood warnings went into place Thursday evening, leading to ponding, rushing water, and flooding in several Pittsburgh-area communities.

Why it matters

Dramatic lightning strikes are a common occurrence during severe thunderstorms, but capturing one on video is relatively rare. This footage provides a vivid and powerful glimpse into the raw power of nature and the potential dangers that can arise during extreme weather events.

The details

The video, filmed by Robert Erdely, shows a massive bolt of lightning striking the ground just outside a home, causing the surrounding trees to light up in a brilliant flash. Erdely can be heard exclaiming "You will not believe this" immediately after the strike.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday evening, March 27, 2026.

The players

Robert Erdely

A resident of Western Pennsylvania who captured the impressive lightning strike on video.

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What they’re saying

“You will not believe this”

— Robert Erdely

The takeaway

This video serves as a powerful reminder of the awe-inspiring and potentially dangerous nature of severe thunderstorms, underscoring the importance of heeding weather warnings and taking appropriate safety precautions during extreme weather events.