I saw on reddit something similar and I thought that could be cool to make it and share how I made it.
EXPANDED TECHNICAL DETAILS
Algorithmic Meteorological Art
The Lightning Cloud is an ambient lighting project that uses randomized probability and high-speed flashes to replicate a physical thunderstorm.
- Stochastic Flash Algorithm: Instead of steady pulsing, the Arduino uses a "Gaussian Random" delay to generate flashes. This mimics the unpredictable nature of real lightning, where multiple high-intensity bursts occur in rapid succession followed by silence.
- Addressable LED Intensity: Uses WS2812B (NeoPixels) buried in poly-fil or cotton. By flashing high-brightness White and Deep Blue at different points in the strip, it creates a 3D "Cloud" effect with depth and shadow.
Interactive Modes
- Acoustic Triggering: (Advanced version) Integrates a sound sensor; the "Lightning" only triggers when a loud sound (like people talking or music) is detected, making the cloud react to the room's environment.