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Thunder is the sound caused by lightning. [1] [2] [3] Depending upon the distance from and nature of the lightning, it can range from a long, low rumble to a sudden, loud crack. The sudden increase in temperature and hence pressure caused by the lightning produces rapid expansion of the air in the path of a lightning bolt. [4]
Lightning also causes thunder, a sound from the shock wave which develops as heated gases in the vicinity of the discharge experience a sudden increase in pressure. The most common occurrence of a lightning event is known as a thunderstorm, though they can also commonly occur in other types of energetic weather systems, such as volcanic eruptions.
The intense heat generated by a lightning strike can burn tissue, and cause lung damage, and the chest can be damaged by the mechanical force of rapidly expanding heated air. [ 4 ] Just as heat can cause expanding air in the lungs, the explosive shock wave created by lightning (the cause of thunder) can cause concussive and hearing damage at ...
If historical trends hold, deaths by lightning will peak this month. Typically, 32 people die every year in the U.S., most of them while recreating.
Direct damage caused by lightning strikes occurs on occasion. [56] In areas with a high frequency for cloud-to-ground lightning, like Florida, lightning causes several fatalities per year, most commonly to people working outside. [57] Acid rain is also a frequent risk produced by lightning. Distilled water has a neutral pH of 7.
Dry thunderstorms occur essentially in dry conditions, and their lightning is a major cause of wildfires. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] Because of that, the United States National Weather Service , and other agencies around the world, issue forecasts for its likelihood over large areas.
Thunder, lightning and floods predicted over the next few days. Isobel Frodsham. ... “When roads or conditions have been so dry, flash floods are going to appear and cause a danger to drivers.
Thunder happens a split second after the lightning because the latter causes the former. The thunder is the sound of a rapid expansion of air caused by the super-hot lightning. The time taken between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder increases with distance because, as already has been explained, light travels faster than sound.