Why and how does this happen in a thunder/lightning storm?

Question

ok two nights ago I had a big thunder storm were I live and I desided to turn on my radio (like I do every night, FM not AM) and the staion I listen to went dead on sound (it is an old semi-broken clock radio that I keep around for the sleep radio button) (here is the part you need to know) and whenever it would have lightning go off you could hear it on the radio.

why does it do that and how does it do it?

Answer 1

I believe lightning frays (sp?) airwaves a bit, kind of like your nerves can be frayed if you had a bad day. They're messed up. It happens with antenna TV, too. I think the heat from lightning scatters airwaves, and so you may get a bit of a crackle on the radio.

Answer 2

I think you mean hear the thunder. Probably the radio station was right near the thunder and it was so loud you could hear it. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Respectfully,

BK

Answer 3

I am not sure why that happens on your FM radio since this usually occurs in the AM band.  Since this is an old radio, maybe some of the AM band is bleeding into the FM or maybe the lightning strikes are occurring near an electrical line that feeds into your neighborhood or home.

If it is the AM band, then what you hear is normal.  For a good answer for the AM case, please see the following links.

http://www.nottltd.com/article.html

http://www.pointbaymarina.com/factsabout...

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeeg3o2/id7.h...

http://www.stormwise.com/striking.htm

http://www.lightningexperts.com/oursyste...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/lightn...