Does lightning make a sound before strikes?

Thunder is created when lightning passes through the air. The lightning discharge heats the air rapidly and causes it to expand. Immediately after the flash, the air cools and contracts quickly. This rapid expansion and contraction creates the sound wave that we hear as thunder.

Do you hear thunder before lightning?

If we are watching the sky, we see the lightning before we hear the thunder. That is because light travels much faster than sound waves. It takes approximately 5 seconds for the sound to travel 1 mile. If the thunder follows the lightning almost instantly, you know the lightning is too close for comfort!

What does it sound like when lightning hits your house?

You will hear a loud and powerful “boom” like you would with most lightning strikes, but this one will be memorable and will shake your home. If your house or yard was hit, there may be a continuous buzzing or hissing sound following the strike.

Why does sound come after lightning?

The loud thunder that follows the lightning bolt is commonly said to come from the bolt itself. However, the grumbles and growls we hear in thunderstorms actually come from the rapid expansion of the air surrounding the lightning bolt. As the heated air expands, the pressure drops, the air cools, and it contracts.

Is it possible to have lightning but no Thunder?

No, it is not possible to have lightning without thunder, according to NOAA. Thunder is a direct result of lightning. If you see lightning but don’t hear thunder, it is because the thunder is too far away. Sometimes, people refer to this as heat lightning because it most often occurs in the summer , but it is no different from regular lighting.

What sound does Lightning make?

Lightning bolts are most often vertical. Their vertical form causes individuals to hear the sound waves closest to the ground first followed by the sound waves from higher up. Rumbling sounds happen when sound waves from different parts of a jagged or forked lightning bolt reach the ears in a series.

Why does dry thunderstorms are a danger?

Lightning strikes from dry thunderstorms are particularly hazardous in the West because they can ignite wildfires since no rain is wetting the vegetation below. The dry fuels are a prime source for…

What are the effects of lightning and Thunder?

Sound Effects of Thunder. Thunder occurs as an acoustical effect of high temperature and pressure during a lightning storm. The change in pressure affects the human ears, which is how thunder is heard. The highest pressure in a storm happens a few inches away from the origin of the lightning strike, causing a rumbling noise.