can you tell how far away a storm is from you by listing to thunder?

Answer 1

Yes, since sound takes longer to travel than light, the time between the lightning and the thunder that it generates can tell you how far the lightning strike was away, thus the rough distance of the storm.

It is better to take an average of all the times to get a more accurate calculation of how far the overall storm is away from you.

Answer 2

Light travels much faster than sound that is why you see the flash first. Now sound travels at 330 meters per second or about 1 mile in 5 seconds. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tells us that to be safe in a thunderstorm people should follow the 30/30 rule. They figured out that if you are 6 miles or closer to the thunder you must seek shelter immediately. So when you see the flash, count the number of seconds until you hear the thunder. If it is for example 30 seconds the lightening occured 6 miles away (30 seconds divided by 5 seconds for each mile the sound traveled gives you 6 miles). Another example, if the time between flash and thunder is 10 seconds how far away was the lightening? 10/5= 2 miles
The second 30 of their 30/30 rule means that you should stay in a safe shelter at least 30 minutes after the storm has passed.
For more information on lightening safety you can visit www.nssl.noaa.gov

Answer 3

Only if you can see the lightning flashes as well.

speed of sound at sea level = 340.29 m / s

So if you see a flash of lightning, count how long before you hear the thunder. Estimate about 1 km for every 3 seconds. Or 1 mile for every 5 seconds.

Answer 4

its not just the thunder - but the time difference between the thunder and the lightning
and i think its not where the "storm is" but where the lightning is

i was always told 1 second=1 mile

Answer 5

Yes, every five seconds counted from a lightning strike seen to the thunder being heard means a mile in distance generally.

Answer 6

One second per mile between the lightning and the thunder

Answer 7

I have been told that you count in between the lightening and when it thunders and that tells you how many miles away the storm actually is.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

yes and no. yes if you saw the lightning and then count the time it takes for you to hear the thunder. just multiply it to the speed of sound which is mach 1.

Answer 10

yes

wait for a flash of lightning

then count...(one thousand one, one thousand two, etc...) until you hear the thunder..

for every 5 seconds, the lightning strike was one mile away