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Thunderless lightning...

Reb said:
I'm not sure, but my guess would be: thermal layers. Based on my vast knowledge of undersea warfare (ok - I read "Hunt For Red October") I know that thermal layers in the ocean can block sonar and other sound sources. So why couldn't a thermal layer in the atmosphere prevent the delicate sound of thunder (sly PF reference) from reaching the ground?

Reb
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Thermal layers in the atmosphere can and do trap sound. See Project Mogul (incidentally, this project led to the Roswell UFO nonsense).

No idea though if these layers can prevent thunder from reaching the ground.

- Dr. Trintignant
 
King of the Americas said:
So, were there any others that 'saw' and failed to hear this storm?

Has there been any recent research on silent lightening?
Click to expand...


The Olympic Committee has just accepted Dr. Michio Kaku's proposal that a moment skyward invitation be included in the opening ceremonies at next Olympic games.

Mystery solved. Your thunder has been stolen.


:D
 
I've heard from more than one person with first hand experience that being exceptionally close to a lightning strike (like the tree in your front yard) you may not hear "thunder" from it so much as a subdued ZZZZZSSSHNG sound, though others further away may hear actual thunder, and louder. Don't ask me to explain the mechanism behind this, though.
 
rwguinn said:
Holy 8-year-old thread resurection, Batman
Did nobody notice the last post before today was Nov, 2003?
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Well, it was resurrected by the poster who posted the OP 8 years ago, so I imagine he knew it was pretty old.
 
Well, since the thread has been resurrected, and all the good jokes have been written, the answer is:

No, it is not possible to have lightning without thunder. Thunder is a direct result of lightning. However, it IS possible that you could not hear the thunder because it was too far away. Sometimes it is called "heat lightning" because it occurs most often in the summer.
Click to expand...

So says Noah NOAA.
 
King of the Americas said:
So, were there any others that 'saw' and failed to hear this storm?

Has there been any recent research on silent lightening?
Click to expand...

You're seriously asking if anyone remembers a storm you saw eight years ago, and wondering if they'll corroborate your memories of it and/or do your reading and linkfinding for you? Google broken at your end?
 
Emet said:
Well, since the thread has been resurrected, and all the good jokes have been written, the answer is:


Quote:
No, it is not possible to have lightning without thunder. Thunder is a direct result of lightning. However, it IS possible that you could not hear the thunder because it was too far away. Sometimes it is called "heat lightning" because it occurs most often in the summer.
So says Noah NOAA.​


So says Noah NOAA.
Click to expand...


So there you have it, KotA, a categorical answer to your question from the scientists working for the US national agency charged with studying atmospheric phenomena, including lightning. Does this affect your thinking on what might explain your observations?

ferd
 
Dr. Trintignant said:
Thermal layers in the atmosphere can and do trap sound. See Project Mogul (incidentally, this project led to the Roswell UFO nonsense).

No idea though if these layers can prevent thunder from reaching the ground.

- Dr. Trintignant
Click to expand...

This storm produced LOTS of thunderless lightening...

A bolt within my neighbor's back yard failed to produce a single sound.

There were no thermal layers between his house and the tree that was struck.
 
rwguinn said:
Holy 8-year-old thread resurection, Batman
Did nobody notice the last post before today was Nov, 2003?
Click to expand...

I was looking for a post, when I ran across this.

I was hoping a resurrection might yield some new insights as to "thunder", what causes it, and what might cease it.
 
Psiload said:
The Olympic Committee has just accepted Dr. Michio Kaku's proposal that a moment skyward invitation be included in the opening ceremonies at next Olympic games.

Mystery solved. Your thunder has been stolen.


:D
Click to expand...

WHAT???

Are you being serious, or are you just yanking my chain?

I could care less who takes credit, just so long as it happen, I'll be happy.

In fact, I couldn't be happier than to find myself like-minded with someone like Dr. Michio Kaku's.
 
Checkmite said:
I've heard from more than one person with first hand experience that being exceptionally close to a lightning strike (like the tree in your front yard) you may not hear "thunder" from it so much as a subdued ZZZZZSSSHNG sound, though others further away may hear actual thunder, and louder. Don't ask me to explain the mechanism behind this, though.
Click to expand...

I've been 'close' to lightening strikes, within 50 yards and heard the thunder 'crack' very loudly.

The strike in my neighbor's yard was within 75 yards, and I heard NOTHING.

To be perfectly honest, I don't understand thunder and what causes it or its absence.
 
Andrew Wiggin said:
You're seriously asking if anyone remembers a storm you saw eight years ago, and wondering if they'll corroborate your memories of it and/or do your reading and linkfinding for you? Google broken at your end?
Click to expand...

I was hoping to procure recent tales, or recollections about silent lightening.
 
ferd burfle said:
So there you have it, KotA, a categorical answer to your question from the scientists working for the US national agency charged with studying atmospheric phenomena, including lightning. Does this affect your thinking on what might explain your observations?

ferd
Click to expand...

Yup...

Maybe I didn't see 'lightening'.
 
King of the Americas said:
I don't think I have EVER seen a tree 'exploded' or 'blown apart' by lightening...
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I have, and it's pretty dramatic. And loud. Pine trees tend to blow apart when hit, I'm told it's because the lightning boils the pitch and it's the steam as much as anything that blows the tree up. On the other hand, I've seen an oak tree with the scars of multiple lightning hits, still healthy.
 
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