How
Far Away Is Lightning
From Me?
To estimate the distance
between you and a lightning
flash, use the "Flash
to Bang" method: If
you observe lightning,
count the number of
seconds until you hear
thunder. Divide the
number of seconds by
five to get the
distance in miles.
Example: If you see
lightning and it takes
10 seconds before you
hear the thunder, then
the lightning is 2
miles away from you
(10 divided by 5 =
2 miles).
| If Thunder is
heard |
The Lightning
is... |
| 5 seconds after
a Flash |
1 mile away |
| 10 seconds after
a Flash |
2 miles away |
| 15 seconds after
a Flash |
3 miles away |
| 20 seconds after
a Flash |
4 miles away |
| 25 seconds after
a Flash |
5 miles away |
| 30 seconds after
a Flash |
6 miles away |
| 35 seconds after
a Flash |
7 miles away |
| 40 seconds after
a Flash |
8 miles away |
Get to a safe location
if the time between
the lightning flash
and the rumble of thunder
is 30 seconds or less.
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