Weatherwatch: the science behind lightning's crackle

Brontophonic sounds can give lightning a unique hiss, separate from the deep rumble of thunderWhat does lightning sound like? The obvious answer is in theboom of thunder: an explosion of expanding, superheated air. But there are more subtle and less understood noises associated with lightning, known as brontophonic sounds, which are heard far less frequently.Two features make these sounds distinguishable from thunder. One is that in contrast to the deep reverberation of thunder, brontophonic sounds sound like the hissing of a red-hot iron in water or the tearing of fabric.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 15, 2019 Category: Science Authors: David Hambling Tags: Extreme weather World news Science Meteorology Source Type: news