Why Do We Have Lightning But No Thunder

Thunder is the sound caused by a nearby flash of lightning and can be heard for a distance of only about 10 miles from the lightning strike.

Why do we have lightning but no thunder.

This theory is completely false and heat. A lightning bolt can travel a great distance. Dry thunderstorms are often the culprits behind massive wildfires when lightning ignites a dry fuel source on the ground during fire weather season which is the hot summer months. After being heated and compressed the expanded columns of air shrink and cool down giving off the initial clap of thunder.

Strikes have even been known to occur 25 miles from the bolt s cloud of origin. Occasionally lightning appears without a thunder clap because the sound wave occurred too far away to be heard. The sound of thunder dissipates as it travels away from the point of the lightning strike only traveling a. The sound of thunder should serve as a warning to anyone outside that they are within striking distance of the storm and need to get to a safe place immediately.

And if lightning is present even if you can t spot it right away you re at risk for being struck. Many people believe heat lightning is produced by hot and humid conditions lighting up the night sky without any rain or thunder in the immediate area. If you see lightning but don t hear thunder it is because the thunder is too. No it is not possible to have lightning without thunder according to noaa.

Thunder is a direct result of lightning. Although there s no rain at least at ground level these storms still pack plenty of lightning.