You know the old saying, "Where there's thunder, there's lightening." It means that if there's thunder around, you feel this wonderful sense of airiness and clarity. You know how it is: You hear a rumble in the clouds, and suddenly you find yourself struck by a swift surge of lucidity.
Wait. This happens all the time — we've confused our lightening and our lightning. When you hear thunder, you're not hit by a bolt of inspiration; you're hit by a bolt of electricity. And that bolt is estimated to contain anywhere from 15 million to 1 billion volts [source: Texas A&M, National Geographic]. The point being, where there's thunder, there's actually lightning — and lightning is not something you really want to hang out with.
But here's the fun thing about lightning: It's not exactly predictable, and there are a lot of myths out there about how to avoid it. For instance, don't think you're free from lightning on a clear day: A bolt can travel 25 miles (40 kilometers) from its cloud of origin, meaning that a distant storm can strike you down on a seemingly cloudless walk [source: Sohn]. (For that reason, it's a bad idea to assume that just because you can't see lightning, you're safe. If you're hearing thunder, period, you're at risk for an encounter with lightning.)
Your car is a decently safe place to pass a storm, but not because its rubber tires are protecting you. Instead, its metal frame will conduct currents to the ground if it's hit — that is, if you're not leaning against any metal, which will pass the voltage on to you.
But not every tale of lightning is false, and you should be happy to hear that if you haven't seen any lightning or heard any thunder for 30 minutes, you're generally safe to crawl out of your Faraday cage. In fact, meteorologists even have what is called the "30-30 rule." First, it says that if the time between the thunder and lightning is 30 seconds or less, you're at risk of being hit by a bolt. The last 30 is for the 30 minutes you need to wait after you see the last bolt of lighting or hear thunder. The National Weather Service even cites the rather sobering fact that half of all fatalities from lightning happen after the storm has passed [source: NWS].
So take shelter from a storm — and maybe even wait until that rainbow appears, just to be on the safe side.
Lots More Information
Related Articles
Sources
- National Geographic. "Lightning." 2014. (Dec. 30, 2014) http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/lightning-profile/
- National Weather Service (NWS). "Facts About Lightning." May 16, 2000. (Dec. 30, 2014) http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/factlightning.pdf
- New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. "Lightning Safety Tips." (Dec. 30, 2014) http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/safety-info/publicsafety/lightning.cfm
- Sohn, Emily. "When Lightning Strikes Out of a Blue Sky." Discovery News. July 29, 2011. (Dec. 30, 2014) http://news.discovery.com/earth/weather-extreme-events/lightning-on-clear-day-110729.htm
- Texas A&M Atmospheric Sciences. "Power of Lightning." 2014. (Dec. 30, 2014) http://atmo.tamu.edu/weather-and-climate/weather-whys/667-power-of-lightning
- Warren County Department of Public Works. "Lightning Safety Tips." (Dec. 30, 2014) http://www.warrencountydpw.com/Safety%20Tip/HTMLdoc/LightingSafetyTips.htm
I'm quite familiar with lightning and thunder phenomena. Lightning, the spectacular discharge of electricity, is a subject that I've delved into extensively. Let's unpack some details from the article you provided.
Firstly, the saying "Where there's thunder, there's lightning" resonates with a common misconception about these natural occurrences. Contrary to popular belief, when you experience thunder, you're actually encountering the aftermath of a lightning strike. Thunder is the sound caused by rapidly expanding air due to the extreme heat of lightning. Lightning bolts, carrying an astonishing voltage range of 15 million to 1 billion volts, can be absolutely staggering.
One fascinating aspect is how lightning can strike unexpectedly, debunking the notion that clear skies mean safety. Lightning can travel remarkably far from its originating storm cloud, posing a threat even on seemingly cloudless days. The 30-30 rule, employed by meteorologists, provides a safety measure, advising individuals to wait for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before deeming it safe to leave shelter.
Regarding safety measures, myths exist about protection from lightning. While a car might seem like a secure haven during a storm due to its metal frame conducting currents to the ground, leaning against metal objects inside the car can be hazardous, potentially passing the voltage to occupants.
As for the "30-30 rule," it's a handy guideline to gauge the proximity of lightning. If the time gap between thunder and lightning is less than 30 seconds, it's a warning sign of imminent danger. Waiting for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before resuming outdoor activities significantly reduces the risk of lightning-related accidents.
The sources you mentioned, including National Geographic and the National Weather Service, are credible references shedding light on the science and safety measures surrounding lightning strikes. Understanding the intricacies of lightning and thunder is not only fascinating but also crucial for personal safety during thunderstorms.
FAQs
If the time between when you see the flash and hear the thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. If you haven't already, seek shelter immediately. The second 30 stands for 30 minutes. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
What is the 30 minute lightning rule? ›
When You See Lightning, Count The Time Until You Hear Thunder. If That Is 30 Seconds Or Less, The Thunderstorm Is Close Enough To Be Dangerous – Seek Shelter (if you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule). Wait 30 Minutes Or More After The Lightning Flash Before Leaving Shelter.
Is lightning safe if you cant hear thunder? ›
Now, let's be clear: If you're seeing lightning at all, you're at risk for getting struck. You might not hear thunder if the storm is far away, but that doesn't mean you can be sure you're safe from a remote hit.
Should you wait 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or flash of lightning before going outside? ›
Because electrical charges can linger in clouds after a thunderstorm has seemingly passed, experts agree that people should wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
How far away is lightning if you can't hear thunder? ›
If you can't hear thunder, that usually means you're more than 6 to 10 miles from a thunderstorm; and that's the typical maximum distance lightning can strike to the side. For more information on thunderstorm safety, check out my book "Lightning Strikes", by Mountaineers Books.
How far from a lightning strike is safe? ›
There is no minimal safe distance. I have had lighting strike 10 feet away with no problems on many occasions. However, the electricity will travel down wires and tree roots for long distances. I had a TV set blow up from a lightning strike 100 ft away.
Can lightning strike through a window? ›
Yes, lightning can strike the inside of your home if you leave a window open. While it's not likely lightning will strike you through an open window, your odds of being struck are higher with open windows than closed windows.
Can TV attract lightning? ›
During a lightning storm, it's wise to unplug electronic devices to prevent damage from electrical surges. This includes computers, televisions and other appliances connected to power outlets, as they can provide a pathway for lightning to enter your home.
Is it OK to watch TV in a thunderstorm? ›
Some people enjoy nestling up and watching television during a storm. Unfortunately, this could prove to be a big mistake. If lightning happens to strike a nearby electric pole, this can create a power surge. Your household appliances simply can't handle the extra volts of electricity.
What is the 30 second rule for lightning? ›
30 Seconds: Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If this time is less than 30 seconds, lightning is a threat. Seek shelter immediately. Even if you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good backup rule.
Thunder starts as a shockwave from the explosively expanding lightning channel when a large current causes rapid heating. However, it is possible that you might see lightning and not hear the thunder because it was too far away. Sometimes this is called “heat lightning” because it occurs most often in the summer.
Should I go inside if I hear thunder? ›
If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up. Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
What is the lightning thunder rule? ›
The CDC tells us, “when thunder roars, go indoors.” They also advise following the 30-30 rule, which means if less than 30 seconds passes after lightning strikes before hearing thunder, you should take shelter. You should also wait at least 30 minutes after hearing thunder before resuming any outdoor activities.
Why wait 30 minutes after lightning? ›
Once inside, avoid contact with corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors. Finally, wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside. If everyone followed those simple rules, the number of lightning casualties in this country could be greatly reduced.
What causes lightning to strike a person? ›
Most indoor lightning casualties and some outdoor casualties are due to conduction. Whether inside or outside, anyone in contact with anything connected to metal wires, plumbing, or metal surfaces that extend outside is at risk.
Do you always hear thunder before lightning? ›
In nature, a lightning flash and the associated thunder occur at almost the same time in a thunderstorm. A person on the ground sees the lightning flash before hearing the thunder because light at a speed of around 300,000,000 meters per second travels much faster than sound which moves at 340 meters per second.
What is lightning without thunder called? ›
The term heat lightning is commonly used to describe lightning from a distant thunderstorm just too far away to see the actual cloud-to-ground flash or to hear the accompanying thunder.
Are you safe from lightning in a house? ›
Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning. Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows.
