Quasi-electrostatic (QE) fields which exist above thunderclouds after lightning discharges can lead to the formation of columnar channels of breakdown ionization and carrot-like vertical luminous structures with typical transverse dimension ~5--10 km spaning an altitude range from ~80 km to well below ~50 km. The carrot-like forms closely resemble those observed in sprites. Results indicate that the appearance of optical emissions can be significantly delayed in time (~1--20 ms) with respect to the causative lightning discharge. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1996