Thunder

    Return to Meteorology Index Page

Thunder is created when the heat from lightning which can exceed 50,000 F explodes the air around it creating a super sonic shock wave. The rolling sound of thunder occurs when many shock waves occur along the lightning channels at the same time. Sound travels at the same speed and the delay created by different shock waves at different altitudes reach the ear at different time intervals. The time intervals are so close together that the human ear cannot tell them apart so a lowing rumbling sound is heard.