Are There Thunderstorms on Mars? A Planetary Scientist Explains the Red Planet’s Dry, Dusty Storms

Jan. 19, 2026
Read time: 5-15 mins
Mars

Mars is bone-dry, yet its towering dust storms can still spark with lightning and rumble with thunder, just without a drop of rain. After scientists first detected hints of Martian lightning years ago, a rover finally captured the eerie sound of it crackling on the surface in late 2025. The article reveals how electrified dust makes this possible and what it could tell us about Mars’ past.

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