Distance (in miles) ≈ (Time between lightning flash and thunder in seconds) / 5
This formula is based on the speed of sound, which travels at approximately 1,100 feet per second or 340 meters per second. Since light travels much faster than sound, you'll see the lightning flash before hearing the thunder. By counting the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder, you can estimate how far away the lightning struck.
Here's an example: If you count 6 seconds between the lightning flash and the sound of thunder, the lightning struck approximately 1.2 miles away (6 seconds / 5 = 1.2 miles).
Remember that this calculation provides a rough estimate, and the actual distance may vary due to factors such as atmospheric conditions and terrain.
