However thunder could also be caused by a meteorite travelling through the atmos.
Why do we have lightning but no thunder.
The air columns continue to vibrate for a short time releasing the residual sound waves of thunder.
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.
Thunder is a direct result of lightning.
Absolutetly yes because thunder is simply a sonic boom usually caused by the super heating of air during a thunderstorm that expands faster than the speed of sound.
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.
Occasionally lightning appears without a thunder clap because the sound wave occurred too far away to be heard.
After being heated and compressed the expanded columns of air shrink and cool down giving off the initial clap of thunder.
If you see lightning but don t hear thunder it is because the thunder is too.
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.