Science Fact Finder | Weather and Climate - How Is The Distance Between Lightning And An Observer Calculated?

How is the distance between lightning and an observer calculated?

Count the number of seconds between seeing a flash of lightning and hearing thunder. Divide that number by 5 to determine how many miles away the lightning is. For instance, if 5 seconds has elapsed between seeing lightning and hearing thunder, the storm is one mile away.

Source: World Book Encyclopedia, vol. 19, p. 272.

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