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How long after thunder do you see lightning?
A general rule of thumb to know how far off a bolt of lightning is when you hear thunder, 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.
What is the 30-30 rule for lightning?
Don’t forget the 30-30 rule. After you see lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.
Is there always lightning after thunder?
No, it is not possible to have thunder without lightning. 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. Thunder is caused by lightning.
What happens if you hear thunder before lightning?
Follow The 30-30 Rule: If you can see lightning flashes, count the seconds after a flash until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the storm is within 6 miles and is dangerous. Lightning is more likely to come from the back edge of a thundercloud than from the front edge.
How much faster does Lightning travel than Thunder?
It travels in all directions from the lightening at the speed of the sound (330 m/s); therefore, it takes the thunder about five seconds to travel each mile, or about three seconds to travel one kilometer. Because light travels faster than sound, the lightning is always seen first, before the thunder is heard.
How long does it take to hear thunder after lightning?
The first 30 is 30 seconds. If it takes less than 30 seconds to hear thunder after seeing a lightning flash, the probability of being struck by lighting is great because the lightning is within 6 miles of your location.
How long after you see lightning can you hear thunder?
The lightning 30/30 rule is a great way to tell how far lightning struck and take precautionary measures to avoid falling victim to lightning strikes. If it takes less than 30 seconds to hear the roaring sound of thunder after seeing the flash of light, the lightning storm is close enough to pose a danger.
Does lightning and Thunder happen at the same time?
Lightening and thunder happen at exactly the same time because lightning is produced by cold and warm masses of air clashing against each other. The friction between them create sparks of electricity that we call lightning, which shoots down to the ground.