Audibility Of Distant Thunder

[Weather-history]

A report from Howard Wilson of Garstang near Preston from 3rd of August 1915

"On the evening of August 1st, as it was growing dark, between 9 and 9.15pm, I was watching a bank of thunder clouds to the west and northwest which rose in towering masses to about 30 degrees from the horizon. They were lighted up at rather long intervals by bright flashes of lightning, the sky elsewhere being cloudless. As there were sufficient time between the flashes to avoid any confusion, I determined to note carefully the time interval between the lightning and its accompanying thunder. A flash at about 9.05pm in the WNW was followed by distinctly audible thunder in 115 seconds and another shortly afterwards in 112 seconds. Taking the velocity of sound as 1121 feet per second, the distance of the first flash works out at 24.41 miles and of the second at 23.77 miles. This would indicate the lightning occurred over the sea about 7 miles SSW of Barrow. As the land is almost level from my point of observation (100ft above sea level) to the sea coast near Fleetwood, in the direction of the storm, there was little or nothing to intefere with the transmission of the sound.

The above observation shows that the distance at which thunder can be heard under favourable conditions is much greater than that generally stated in text-books."

Edited May 13, 2009 by Mr_Data

[Louby]

Very interesting read.

I have always wondered if there was a way to caculate the distance but never looked into.

The above observation shows that the distance at which thunder can be heard under favourable conditions is much greater than that generally stated in text-books.

What is the general rule of thumb then?

[Crepuscular Ray]

Very interesting read.

I have always wondered if there was a way to caculate the distance but never looked into.

What is the general rule of thumb then?

The rough rule of thumb is about one mile for every four seconds.

The sound of the thunder might travel farther over water than over land. Low noises, in particular, do (as seen on last night's repeat of Coast on BBC2)

[Louby]

The rough rule of thumb is about one mile for every four seconds.

The sound of the thunder might travel farther over water than over land. Low noises, in particular, do (as seen on last night's repeat of Coast on BBC2)

I saw that!

So my mum saying that ever mile was one elephant was a little bit out! :huh:

Thanks Auntie C B)

[Thundery wintry showers]

Very interesting as usual from Mr Data. One problem with the audibility of thunder in modern-day society is that it is easy to mistake the sound of traffic or aeroplanes or fireworks as thunder (or vice versa). In addition when snow accompanies thunder, it acts as an acoustic suppressor such that thunder can often be heard only a couple of miles away.

[Louby]

Very interesting as usual from Mr Data. One problem with the audibility of thunder in modern-day society is that it is easy to mistake the sound of traffic or aeroplanes or fireworks as thunder (or vice versa).

You can add wheelie bins to that list, my neighbour wheeling it down the alley way has got me on many occasions.

[A.J]

You can add wheelie bins to that list, my neighbour wheeling it down the alley way has got me on many occasions.

likewise, same here.....There's also a skylight in the main bathroom in my house, whenever its windy, the wind hitting the skylight cover makes it sounds like muffled, distant thunder.............Its amazing though the effect of buildings and surroundings on the thunder, as since living in Staffs, with the M6 near by, a storm has to be almost on top of me before I can hear any thunder, yet during my youth in Brixham, S Devon, I was bang on the coast, and you could hear thunder from french imports even when they were still miles out at sea

[Louby]

that is one of the reasons I would love to live on the coast, not only to see storms rolling in without buildings or tree's in the way but to hear it approaching, there is something quite wonderful about the sound of a storm as it gets nearer.

[A.J]

that is one of the reasons I would love to live on the coast, not only to see storms rolling in without buildings or tree's in the way but to hear it approaching, there is something quite wonderful about the sound of a storm as it gets nearer.

You're absolutley right Lou....I remember when I was 13 or so, we had 3 consecutive days where elevated french imports crossed the channel during the wee small hours and the distant thunder woke me up (about 3am ish) It was awesome and at the same time, eerie watching the lightning encroach fom the SW, it always looked like there was something 'evil' coming my way!!! ...The thunder rolled and boomed across the sea.....giving me goosebumps just remembering it!

[Louby]

I had similar when I was on holiday in Seaford as a kid, I was only about 7 so a bloody long time ago :lol: but I remember being woken by the booming of a storm in the distance, Well before we could see the lightning, Dad and I watch the storm roll in, remember it as clear as day, bloody fantastic, more so because the sound of the thunder was enhanced or seemed to be.

[0000]

live up in the hills...you can see storms for miles :lol:

[Louby]

I do live on a hill! just not a big enough one.

[Weather-history]

Several of the great barrages that occurred during the First World War on the Western Front could be heard in SE England. The first battle of the Somme barrage was said to be heard from Hampstead Heath in London.

The Woolwich Arsenal explosion of January 1917 was heard as far west as Salisbury and as far north in Nottinghamshire and south Lincolnshire.

[Adi F]

Mr Data its great to see that you are still posting fascinating facts on here.

Sound is effected by the atmospheric conditions, there are many factors to consider but the higher the humidity the greater distance sound travels. This is well recorded in radio communications.

[plymouthflye]

You can add wheelie bins to that list, my neighbour wheeling it down the alley way has got me on many occasions.

What a load of rubbish.

Actually, i'm glad i'm not the only one who suffers from Cumulonimbin's

Sorry.