What in tarnations is going on in Waccabuc? Are aliens taking over Sally's Ford Explorer? This week on Car Talk, we heard from Sally from North Salem, New York, whose daily drive takes her into wonderful Waccabuc. This last time, however, her ride was a little out-of-the-ordinary, to say the least…

She’s had the experience of being in a Farraday cage. Happened to me once, but I was sitting on my bed at the time. Lightning hit the power lines across the street, or possibly the three-story elevator cage at the side of the house (don’t ask). Anyway, there was a bright light, and everything in …

I think that fishkillranger is correct! This has happened to me. Very loud buzz (EEEEEEEEEEETTTT) along with bright flash

Sounded like a form of ball lightning, it happens in the interior of planes if the conditions are right.

I think that the previous comments are on the right track. I saw a blue ball of light go down the center of a plane during a storm many years ago. I was sitting next to a pilot, who said that it’s called “St. Elmo’s Fire”. I’ve since looked that up, and I think that’s what happened here. Here’s …

I think I know what happened. Once I was on an airplane and experienced the same sort of phenomena. It is called St. Elmo’s Fire and sailors of long ago experienced this out on the open sea when there was high energy static electrical storm stuff going on…the loud noise and bright ball of fire lig…

My dearest Click and Clack. You had a woman describe a bright light with a buzzing sound hit right next to her car’s power outlet and you completely dismissed the idea that it actually could have been lightning. Lightning isn’t as isolated as people think it is, meaning it doesn’t always stay in the…

As an amateur radio operator who works with wires antennas, I’m a preeminent expert in these matters. Wires suspended in space build up static electrical charges from wind and other atmospheric stuff passing around them. When Sally’s explorer passed under the power lines, it breached the charged fie…

It probably was a squirrel that shorted out the transformer and caused the bright flash and sound. Possibly a funeral is in order.

What's up in Waccabuc?

The Show

fishkillranger February 25, 2012, 8:35pm 2

I think a transformer shorted and that was the light and noise. You guys are the best…

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