At http://tallbloke.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/link-found-between-solar-winds… … provides a direct link between the Sun and weather on the Earth. Bassically, some scientists have found that when the speed and intensity of the solar winds increase so too does the rate of lightning strike. Solar wind streams are even predictable, it is said – see also http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/9/5/055004/article
Again, the comments at Tall Bloke's place are worth scanning, especially the fact that Radio Hams (amateurs) were aware of such data many moons ago, from their backyard sheds. However, Gary Gilligan sent in another link, at www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2628758/Unlocked-secret-lightnin… … which has lots more text and lots of images.