App Description

Find out where lightning struck
and the speed of sound for your location based on weather conditions!



You know how it is - a thunderstorm is approaching, and suddenly you hear an absolutely deafening clap of thunder. Whoa, that sounded close! At times it can even be frightening! But how close is the lightning, really? It is difficult to determine the distance of a lightning bolt just by looking at it, and the volume of the thunder isn’t a good way to tell either.

Sound travels through air at slightly different speeds depending on air temperature and relative humidity (density). This app will take both into consideration to give the closest result possible.

If you have a map and compass, try plotting the location of each lightning strike by drawing a line on the map in the direction of the lightning, and a cross at your calculated distance along this line.

If you're stuck inside or at home during a thunderstorm, this is an interesting way to entertain yourself for a while.

If there are scared little kids around, figure out how far away the strike is and tell them. This will help ease their fears and then they will most likely ask "How'd you do that?" It's a great time to teach them.

iPhone Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Lightning Distance - Calculate where thunder and lightning struck screenshot 1

iPad Screenshots

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Lightning Distance - Calculate where thunder and lightning struck screenshot 2

App Changes

  • June 07, 2014 Initial release