Time Between Lightning and Thunder - How Far Away Is Lightning? (2024)

FAQs

Time Between Lightning and Thunder - How Far Away Is Lightning? ›

If you count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder, and then divide by 5, you'll get the distance in miles to the lightning: 5 seconds = 1 mile, 15 seconds = 3 miles, 0 seconds = very close. Keep in mind that you should be in a safe place while counting.

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.

Thunder rarely carries through the air more than 15 miles, but lightning can be seen literally hundreds of miles if the flashes are sufficiently high, and your line of sight is not blocked.

When you see the flash of a lightning bolt, you can start counting seconds and then divide to see how far away the lightning struck. If it takes 10 seconds for the thunder to roll in, the lightning struck about 2 miles or 3 kilometers away.

Remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

The 30-30 Rule is an easy way to determine the threat of lightning in your area: 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.

No. Lightning can travel through plumbing. It is best to avoid all water during a thunderstorm.

Lightning often strikes from 3 to 6 miles away, though it can be as far as 10 miles. According to safety experts, the time to take cover is 6 miles, at minimum. Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between the lightning flash and the crack of thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is about 6 miles away or closer.

A faraday cage is designed to block electromagnetic fields when the 'cage' is covered by continuous conductive material which keeps people safe inside. Planes and cars are both fitting examples of faraday cages which keep you safe when lightning strikes.

The temperature of the air in the lightning channel may reach as high as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun. Immediately after the flash, the air cools and contracts quickly. This rapid expansion and contraction creates the sound wave that we hear as thunder.

How hot is lightning? ›

In fact, lightning can heat the air it passes through to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5 times hotter than the surface of the sun). When lightning strikes a tree, the heat vaporizes any water in its path possibly causing the tree to explode or a strip of bark to be blown off.

Direct Lightning Strike

If your home is struck by lightning, you need to act fast. Call the fire department so they can check for any dangers or damage. Direct lightning strikes can cause significant damage to your electrical system, damage wiring in your attic or walls, and even start fires that go undetected.

A good idea is to use the '30-30 Rule. ' According to this rule, if you count less than 30 seconds between a lightning flash and the thunder following it, you should seek shelter from the storm. A smart thing to do is count your 30 seconds inside away from all threatening weather.

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.

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.

According to OSHA, lightning can strike up to ten (10) miles away from any rainfall. As such, OSHA recommends employees move indoors any time thunder can be heard and remain indoors for 30 minutes after the last audible thunder. If no indoor shelter is available, OSHA recommends employees shelter in hard-top vehicles.

You can tell how far away a lightning stroke is by counting the seconds between seeing the lightning flash and hearing the thunder. Five (5) seconds approximates one (1) mile of distance. If you see a flash and instantly hear the thunder, the lightning stroke was very close. Take shelter immediately.

Thus, waiting 30 minutes allows the thunderstorm to be about 20km away, minimizing the likelihood of a nearby lightning strike.