Thunder is a direct result of lightning.
Why do we have lightning but no thunder.
If you have a good view of the horizon on a stormy day you can see dozens of lightning strikes and flashes in the clouds off in the distance without ever hearing the resulting thunder.
No it is not possible to have lightning without thunder according to noaa.
The sound of thunder should serve as a warning to anyone outside that they are within striking distance of the storm and need to get to a safe place immediately.
Occasionally lightning appears without a thunder clap because the sound wave occurred too far away to be heard.
Heat lightning also known as silent lightning summer lightning or dry lightning mainly used in the american southwest.
Thunder is the sound caused by a nearby flash of lightning and can be heard for a distance of only about 10 miles from the lightning strike.
If you see lightning but don t hear thunder it is because the thunder is too.
After being heated and compressed the expanded columns of air shrink and cool down giving off the initial clap of thunder.
The air columns continue to vibrate for a short time releasing the residual sound waves of thunder.