How far was that strike?
Count the seconds from the flash to the thunder, then turn them into a distance. It’s the trick weather forecasters teach, with a storm to track at the end.
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A storm is rolling past. Watch for the flash, count the seconds until the thunder arrives, then work out how far away the lightning was. Five flashes, a storm to track, and real physics: the thunder arrives at the true speed of sound for the air temperature you pick. Turn your sound on. No sound? Watch for the BOOM on screen instead.
How it works: Count the seconds from the flash to the thunder. Divide by five for the distance in miles, or by three for kilometres. Met Office: Thunder and lightning The game sends the thunder at NOAA’s speed-of-sound table for the temperature you choose, so cold air makes the gap a little longer. A sharp crack or click means the lightning channel passed nearby. A rumble means it was at least several miles away. National Weather Service: Understanding thunder Our sounds are simplified: real thunder depends on the whole storm. Distances, timings and the storm’s path are made up by the game each time. And for real storms: keep in mind that you should be in a safe place while counting. National Weather Service: Understanding thunder