question: While positive charges gather at the top of clouds, where do negative charges accumulate? answer: Inside theclouds paragraph: Are there other examples of static discharge? The answer is yes. Lightning is a form of static discharge. It is much more dramatic than what happens to your hand. You can see how it occurs in the following diagram. You have probably seen lightning in a rainstorm. What does lighting have to do with static electricity? As it turns out, everything. During a rainstorm, clouds are pushed along by the wind. Clouds develop regions of different charges. This happens due to the movement of air molecules, water drops, and ice particles. The negative charges are mostly at the base of the clouds. The positive charges are mostly at the top. The charges continue to build up. Suddenly, you see the large discharge. This is what we see as lightning. In the video below, you can watch an awesome slow-motion lightning strike. Be sure to wait for the real-time lightning strike at the end of the video. 