|
Salem Clock Shop - 1085 Broadway Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 - (503) 581-3803 Fax: (503) 581-3331 |
|
You can track a thunderstorm by ascertaining the distance and direction of the thunderclaps. |
|
Tracking a Thunderstorm |
|
Because light travels much faster than sound, lightning flashes can be seen long before the resulting thunder is heard.
Estimate the number of miles you are from a thunderstorm by counting the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by five.
Since you know the direction and distance from which the thunder is coming, you can plot the track of the thunderstorm on a map by placing dots at the approximate distances and bearings of repeated thunderclaps as the storm moves relative to you.
Important: You are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder. Knowing how far away a storm is does not mean that you're in danger only when the storm is overhead. |