why do they say thunder only happens when its raining i known it to thunder with no rain?

Question

does anyone agree its not always the case that thunder only happens when its raining

Answer 1

It may not be raining where you are when you hear the thunder, but I can guarantee that somewhere, it is raining.

Answer 2

Since thunder is the sound wave caused by lightning you may hear the thunder 20 or 30 miles from the storm centre. As a result you may not actually see the flash.

Electrical storms occur all the time in the upper atmosphere when negatively charged particles connect with positively charged particles causing the charge to "jump". Hence, if the storm is high up you will not necessarily get rain.

"Thunder Only Happens When It's Raining", incidently, was written by Mick Fleetwood and John McVey before The Corrs were even born!!! Stevie Nix and Christine Perfect, later Chrissie McVey, did a splendid job on the vocal track.

Answer 3

Thunder is simply the noise caused by lightning...from the rapid expansion of air caused by the heat from the lightning. Lightning is caused by the build-up of static electricity in the atmosphere. In most cases, falling rain causes the static build-up by friction. It's not unusual though, to have lightning (and therefore thunder) under dry skies when there is intense convective activity aloft, but the moisture particles don't fall (rain). Updrafts, high winds, and the weight of the water particles play a role in whether the water falls to Earth(rain) or remains aloft.

Answer 4

I think we can blame Fleetwood Mac for that, but I have never heard anyone use it as a phrase. And quite right too, it was thundering every afternoon here a couple of weeks ago but never any rain or lightning.

Answer 5

The sound from thunder travels for many miles, it could be raining at its origin.

Answer 6

you can hear thunder many miles away so its raining where the thunder is but maybe not where you are. if the storm is heading in your direction it will rain soon after you hear the thunder.

Answer 7

There is no connection with thunder and rain, just as there is no connection between thunder, rain AND SOCIOLOGY - so why have you posted your question here?

Answer 8

More important, if you hear thunder, you are in the danger zone of getting whacked by lightning, immediately seek shelter ! My favorite one is "There's about the same chance of getting hit with lightning", there is a very good chance of getting hit by lighting if thunder is around, "TAKE IT TO THE BANK" !

Answer 9

obviously they have not gone to a nascar race when engines are fired up there is thunder, or how bout the old las vegas hockey team called the thunder?

Answer 10

I don't think anyone really says it, it's just a song lyric, originally by Fleetwood Mac I think but covered by The Corrs in about 1998. Title of the song is Dreams I think.