Why Do We Have Lightning But No Thunder

However thunder could also be caused by a meteorite travelling through the atmos.

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. Thunder is a direct result of lightning. Not to be confused with dry thunderstorms which are also often called dry lightning is a misnomer used for the faint flashes of lightning on the horizon or other clouds from distant thunderstorms that do not appear to have accompanying sounds of thunder. No it is not possible to have lightning without thunder according to noaa.

The air columns continue to vibrate for a short time releasing the residual sound waves of thunder. 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. 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. Heat lightning also known as silent lightning summer lightning or dry lightning mainly used in the american southwest.

After being heated and compressed the expanded columns of air shrink and cool down giving off the initial clap of thunder.