If the center of the storm is directly over you, the thunder and lightning occur simultaneously - and startlingly loudly. But most of the time, we see the lightning well before we hear the thunder because you see things instantaneously, due to the speed of light. But you hear things much more slowly. It takes five seconds for sound to travel a mile. Hence, if you see lightning, then hear the thunder ten seconds later, the center of the storm is two miles away.
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Lightning appears before thunder during the rainy season because light travels faster than sound. When lightning strikes, it produces light that reaches our eyes almost instantly, while the sound of thunder takes longer to reach us due to the slower speed of sound traveling through the air.
Thunder and lightning typically occur more frequently in the summer due to the high temperatures and increased atmospheric instability. Warmer air can rise rapidly, creating strong updrafts and leading to the development of thunderstorms.
cuz in clouds, once enough precipitation forms and clouds become heavy and dark, rain, and snow could form depending on the season, and lightning can occur from the clouds causing thunder.
On average, lightning strikes the state of Virginia about 40,000 times per year. Lightning activity can vary depending on the season and weather patterns.
The dryness after the wet season
Lightning occurs constantly year round. However for given areas of the world it varies, usually with the season. In the US there is more lightning in the spring and summer, than fall or winter.