Why does thunder rumble?

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.
Takedown request View complete answer on loc.gov

What causes the rumble of thunder?

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.
Takedown request View complete answer on weather.gov

What does it mean when thunder is really loud?

Amplified thunder

In a typical ground-based storm, thunder dissipates in all directions, a quick loud boom or rumble. However, in a temperature inversion, the sound becomes trapped and refracts back to the ground. This trapping and refracting can cause the thunder to be amplified, making it sound louder than normal.
Takedown request View complete answer on spectrumlocalnews.com

What makes the rumbling sound of thunder?

The combination of millions of shock waves gives thunder the continuous booming/rumbling sound we hear. The temperature of the atmosphere affects the sound of thunder as well as how far it travels. Sound waves move faster in warm air than in cool air.
Takedown request View complete answer on noaa.gov

Why does thunder cause vibration?

That rapid change leads to an expansion of air molecules that creates a sonic-boom type of shock wave, which then bounces off of the ground and surrounding buildings, trees, etc. All of that energy doesn't just stop when it hits something. It transfers to those objects causing them to vibrate or lightly shake.
Takedown request View complete answer on wqad.com

Why Does Thunder Rumble? | Thunder and Lightning Facts for Kids ⚡️

Can thunder break a house?

Thunder is a shock wave caused by the rapid expansion of heated air around lightning. These shock waves can cause structural degradation and cracking in concrete, brick, cinderblock, and stone, depending on their intensity and proximity.
Takedown request View complete answer on mutual-assurance.com

Are you safe in your home from lightning?

Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning. Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows.
Takedown request View complete answer on weather.gov

How long can a thunder rumble last?

A typical lightning bolt is 4 - 5 miles long. Since sound travels about one mile in 5 seconds, the rumbling sounds of thunder from a single bolt can last for up to 25 seconds from start to finish. And, we can hear thunder from lightning up to 10 miles away.
Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

Can thunder happen without lightning?

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.
Takedown request View complete answer on nssl.noaa.gov

Should you take cover under a tree during a thunderstorm?

Myth #3 – If you're stuck in a thunderstorm, being under a tree is better than no shelter at all. Fact: Sheltering under a tree is just about the worst thing you can do. If lightning does hit the tree, there's the chance that a “ground charge” will spread out from the tree in all directions.
Takedown request View complete answer on iii.org

Can loud thunder cause damage?

Consequences. The shock wave in thunder is sufficient to cause property damage and injury, such as internal contusion, to individuals nearby Thunder can rupture the eardrums of people nearby, leading to permanently impaired hearing. Even if not, it can lead to temporary deafness.
Takedown request View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org

Should I be worried about loud thunder?

You can protect yourself from risk even if you are caught outdoors when lightning is close by. If the weather forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity. Remember: When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a safe, enclosed shelter.
Takedown request View complete answer on cdc.gov

Why is thunder so loud at night?

The sound escapes into the atmosphere very easily. There's a difference with the decibel levels of thunder at night and it's all about what's happening in the upper atmosphere. The heating from the day will heat the entire atmosphere. At night, the atmosphere always cools from the ground up.
Takedown request View complete answer on kxnet.com

Is it safe to watch TV during a thunderstorm?

Unfortunately, this could prove to be a big mistake. If lightning happens to strike a nearby electric pole, this can create a power surge. Your household appliances simply can't handle the extra volts of electricity. Flat-screen TVs, computers, and water heaters are just a few of the items that can become damaged.
Takedown request View complete answer on cmcserviceexperts.com

What does a long roll of thunder mean?

If a lighting bolt is longer in distance, more air has to be displaced and thus more thunder that may reach your ears from slightly more directions. This could be perceived as rolling thunder, especially if you are a little further away from the storm.
Takedown request View complete answer on kwwl.com

What is the longest sound of thunder?

Speed of sound in average conditions on Earth is 343 meters per second, so theoretically, the longest sound of thunder coming from a single bolt, if one of its ends is right near you is about 47 seconds, getting softer and softer as you hear sound from further and further away.
Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

What happens if there is thunder but no rain?

Dry thunderstorm refers to thunder and lightning that occur without bringing rain to the ground. In fact, the thunder-bearing clouds do produce rain but the rain droplets have evaporated in the air before reaching the ground.
Takedown request View complete answer on hko.gov.hk

Where does lightning strike the most?

Lake Maracaibo is the region with the most lightning in the world, with 233 lightning strikes per km2 per year.
Takedown request View complete answer on meteoswiss.admin.ch

What to do when you hear thunder?

If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up. Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
Takedown request View complete answer on weather.gov

Can thunder shake a house?

As the shockwave rushes outward it can run into structures like your house, causing it to rumble or shake. Essentially your house is shaking or rattling from those rapidly heated air molecules hitting it! Cloud to ground lightning is the typical producer of house-rattling thunder.
Takedown request View complete answer on clickorlando.com

Which comes first lightning or thunder?

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.
Takedown request View complete answer on hko.gov.hk

Why are thunder claps so long?

Sound travels about a mile in 5 seconds, thus you will hear the first part - the clap of the lightning - five seconds after the flash. If the farthest part of the bolt is three miles away, it will take 15 seconds to hear that part of the bolt.
Takedown request View complete answer on weatheronline.co.uk

Is it safe to sleep next to a window during a thunderstorm?

Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do NOT lie on concrete floors or lean on concrete walls during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
Takedown request View complete answer on cdc.gov

Where is the safest place to be in a thunderstorm?

The safest location during a thunderstorm is inside a large enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring. These include shopping centers, schools, office buildings, and private residences.
Takedown request View complete answer on noaa.gov

Can lightning strike through a window?

Yes, lightning can strike the inside of your home if you leave a window open. While it's not likely lightning will strike you through an open window, your odds of being struck are higher with open windows than closed windows.
Takedown request View complete answer on verifythis.com

Previous question
How much gb does RDR2 take?
Next question
Does Xbox 360 support MKV files?