Lightning guides
How lightning works, how far away it really is, and how the satellite that finds it actually does the job.
- Weather explained3 min read
What Is Heat Lightning? (It Isn't a Real Thing)
Silent flashes on a warm horizon are not a separate kind of lightning. They are ordinary strikes from a storm too far away for the thunder to reach you.
- How it works4 min read
How a Satellite 22,000 Miles Up Sees Every Lightning Flash
GOES-19's Geostationary Lightning Mapper watches the whole hemisphere for the optical flash of lightning and publishes new detections every 20 seconds.
- Lightning safety3 min read
How Far Away Is That Lightning? Count the Seconds
Count the seconds between the flash and the thunder, then divide by five for miles. Here is why that works, and where the method quietly fails you.
- How it works4 min read
How Accurate Are Lightning Maps?
Satellite lightning maps place a flash within about 5 to 10 km. Ground networks get closer. Here is what each one actually measures, and which accuracy matters.