There has been storms in my area and they should last the week?

Question

There has been thunderstorms and I was wondering what is an acurrate way of knowing how far away the lightning is?

I already know the one where you count seconds after lightning and then you wait to hear for thunder. (seconds=miles)

Is there a more accurate way?

Somewat conserened.

Plz do not answer the one I metioned.

Also can your answer be easy to use anytime?

Thx for answering.

Answer 1

I heard a local meteorologist say recently that if you can hear thunder, then you are within striking distance, no matter how long the pause is between the lightning and its subsequent thunder.

But I've never heard of a more accurate way to tell how far away lightning is, other than doppler radar. Unfortunately, I can't find a site that has real time doppler pictures; everything I've seen is about 10 minutes old at the very least.

Answer 2

Okay here is a really easy way to gauge the distance of thunder. If you see the lightning strike, count how long it takes until you hear the thunder. Thunder travels at 1/5 of a mile per second, so it takes 5 seconds for it to travel a mile, and if you wait 7 seconds between the lightning bolt and the sound of thunder, than the bolt was 1 and 2/5 miles away. This is the most accurate way to measure because you don't have to rely on a radar which is not up to date, so just use your eyes, ears and simple math.

and here is another tip. If you want to go outside after a thunderstorm, wait half an hour till after you heard the last lightning strike to be safe. If you wait 20 minutes and you hear thunder, start over again until you go 30 minutes without hearin any thunder.