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Distant lightning near Louisville, Kentucky. Heat lightning (not to be confused with dry thunderstorms, which are also often called dry lightning) is a misnomer [1] used for the faint flashes of lightning on the horizon or other clouds from distant thunderstorms that do not appear to have accompanying sounds of thunder. Heat lightning in Tokyo
The shaft of precipitation that can be seen falling from a cloud without reaching the ground is called "virga". [ 7 ] A thunderstorm does not have to be completely dry to be considered dry; in many areas 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) is the threshold between a "wet" and "dry" thunderstorm.
Lightning at a sufficient distance may be seen and not heard; there is data that a lightning storm can be seen at over 160 km (100 miles) whereas the thunder travels about 32 km (20 miles). Anecdotally, there are many examples of people describing a 'storm directly overhead' or 'all-around' and yet 'no thunder'.
For instance, lightning strikes the Empire State Building in New York City on average 23 times per year. [250] Heat lightning does not exist as a distinct phenomenon. What is mistaken for "heat lightning" is usually ordinary lightning from storms too distant to hear the associated thunder. [251]
Can you be hit by lightning during a thundersnow storm? Thundersnow can be just as dangerous as a regular, rain-accompanied thunderstorm. After all, where there's thunder, there's lightning.
This is important, as lightning can strike without rain actually falling and a storm being overhead, contrary to popular belief. [36] [37] If thunder can be heard at all, then a risk of lightning exists. The National Lightning Safety Institute also recommends using the F-B (flash to boom) method to gauge distance to a lightning strike.
When there's thunder and lightning outside, childhood instinct says to hide under the covers. Check out these crazy lightning snapshots: Unfortunately, a woman in Michigan found out this week that ...
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 ]