What causes the thunder to sound so strange now?

Question

I've been noticing lately how strange the thunder sounds during a thunderstorm.  One night, a couple of months ago, during a storm, my Mom called to tell me to step outside to hear the strange sound the thunder was making.  I was shocked when I opened my front door and heard what sounded like "footsteps in the sky."  Then it started sounding like someone was stomping on something.  It was VERY loud and VERY VERY scary.  My neighbors came outside and we were all looking up at the sky like, "Is the world ending?!"  It was SO scary!!!  I called my best friend to see if she could hear it where she lived, and she DID!!  It was as if the thunder would last for about 5-10 minutes non-stop.......constantly rolling and rolling.  I've NEVER heard anything like that before.  Usually, the lightening flashes, the thunder follows.......sometimes loud, sometimes soft, but is usually brief.  Not lately though.  It lasts FOREVER now!!  Could someone out there PLEASE tell me you can relate.  What causes thunder to sound like that?

Goliath · Accepted Answer

Ok so. Lighting as you may know is a atmospheric discharge of electricity. 
First, the reason for it sounding so loud is because of how close you are to the lightning strike itself ( remember, light travels faster then sound ). So when you see a lightning strike, count the seconds until you hear the thunder. Take the number of seconds and divide it by 5 to get the distance you are  from the lightning strike.
Second,  Sharp cracks of lighting means it struck to the ground ( sharp cracks are formed from a bolt with a positive charge connecting to the ground. )
A bang and a low rumble last means its at a medium distance, ( Negative charged cloud to ground )
A low rumble is a charge from cloud to cloud. 
As fro the frequency, it may be because of were you are positioned with the storm. It may be even a large storm.

Technobuff · Answer

Thunderstorms don't change. Our local environment changes.
I'd suspect what you are describing is reflections of the sound of a "thunderclap" reaching you at different times, after reflecting from other objects, land features, or even clouds. Or different discharges of lightning, perhaps by lightning between clouds, that you haven't seen.
Thunder won't kill you. Lightning might. Don't be too quick to rush outside!

kai · Answer

It happened  to me just every about every night a couple weeks ago it is kinda weird. it is really freaky. Maybe others are telling us something?

Anonymous · Answer

global warming

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What causes the thunder to sound so strange now?

4 Answers