How far away can lightning strike from a thunderstorm?

How far away can lightning strike from a thunderstorm?

• A. 15 miles
• B. 5 miles
• C. 50 miles
• D. 1 mile

Answer: (A)

Lightning can strike far from the visible part of a storm. The electrical activity within a thunderstorm can reach out to the edges and beyond the rain, producing cloud-to-ground bolts that can ground a location many miles away. Because of that reach, a distance like 15 miles is a practical estimate of how far a bolt can travel from a storm. Shorter distances such as 1 mile or 5 miles don’t reflect how far lightning can reach, and 50 miles is less typical for most storms. Remember, safety-wise, if you see lightning or hear thunder, you should seek shelter, since a bolt can strike well outside the obvious area of the storm.

Lightning can strike far from the visible part of a storm. The electrical activity within a thunderstorm can reach out to the edges and beyond the rain, producing cloud-to-ground bolts that can ground a location many miles away. Because of that reach, a distance like 15 miles is a practical estimate of how far a bolt can travel from a storm. Shorter distances such as 1 mile or 5 miles don’t reflect how far lightning can reach, and 50 miles is less typical for most storms. Remember, safety-wise, if you see lightning or hear thunder, you should seek shelter, since a bolt can strike well outside the obvious area of the storm.