1. What is the Lightning Distance Calculation?

The lightning distance calculation estimates how far away a lightning strike occurred based on the time difference between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( d \) — Distance in miles
• \( t \) — Time between lightning and thunder in seconds

Explanation: Sound travels at about 1/5 mile per second (0.2 mile per second), so each second between lightning and thunder represents about 0.2 miles of distance.

3. Importance of Lightning Distance Calculation

Details: Knowing how far away lightning is helps assess storm danger. If the time is decreasing between lightning and thunder, the storm is approaching.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the time in seconds between when you see lightning and hear thunder. For best results, use a stopwatch to measure the time accurately.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why multiply by 0.2?
A: Sound travels approximately 1 mile in 5 seconds (1/5 = 0.2 mile per second) in air at sea level.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's a rough estimate. Temperature and humidity affect sound speed, but 0.2 is a good average.

Q3: When should I seek shelter from lightning?
A: When lightning is within 6 miles (30 seconds or less between lightning and thunder).

Q4: Can I use this for metric units?
A: For kilometers, use 0.34 instead of 0.2 (sound travels ~0.34 km per second).

Q5: Why see lightning before hearing thunder?
A: Light travels much faster than sound (~1 million times faster), so we see lightning almost instantly.