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How can you tell when a real good thunderstorm is on its way?
G.B.
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It depends on what your definition of good is, where you are and if you have access to a radar or not. If you are out and about on a given day and you are curious as to what the clouds might be doing when they get dark and spooky, just look and listen.
If you see lightning start counting. The sound of thunder will move at 5 seconds per mile. If you could to 5 and then you hear thunder, the thunderstorm is only 1 mile away. If you count to 10, it's 2 miles. Just divide by 5. Thunderstorms can move as fast a moving car so they could arrive at your house in a minute if it's only 1 mile from you!
If you hear thunder you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Now if you're looking for a major t-storm just keep your eyes to the sky too, by looking out for developing cumulus clouds that eventually grow to cumulonimbus clouds and being familiar with what those look like you can identify large storms.
And if you're really lucky and you've got internet access check out the ksl.com weather page for the Vipir Images or if your town isn't on there, go to the NWS radar page. By looping these images you can also see where the storms are headed.
Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman.
