Question About Lightning.

[Keraunic]

Now, I know that if a storm is directly overhead, the thunder will follow the lightning almost instantly.

But, once or twice I have seen (and heard) when there is a very, very vivid and bright flash then a few seconds later it will be followed by an ear splitting crash.

So, if the storm is overhead as I reckon it must be because of the loud crack and brightness of the lightning, why the gap of those few (I've counted 5/6 ) seconds. Just curious and I'd like to understand.

Thanks,

Jess.

[Phil UK]

Depends on two factors.

Is the lightning cloud/ground? (or forked!) If so then if close enough will produce the ear-splitting gunshot, ground shaking sounding thunder. But if intra-cloud, the lightning is higher up so the sound wave will take a couple or more seconds longer to resonate. Can still be somewhat loud if directly overhead but spread over a wider area because there are no buildings or trees to resonate the echo.

Hope my probably useless explanation helps Jess.

Phil.

[Keraunic]

Hi Phil. Thanks for responding so quickly. Yes, that makes perfect sense. The times when I saw/heard this I was working in a building which was on the highest point in York. We were able to watch the storms traveling up from the South; always a spectacular sight.

Thanks again, (and not a useless explanation at all)

Jess.