Distant lightning flashes visible on the horizon without any accompanying sound of thunder, not a distinct kind of lightning but ordinary lightning from a thunderstorm too far away, typically more than 10 to 15 miles, for the storm's own thunder to carry to the observer. The name reflects a long-standing folk belief that such flickers on a warm summer night were caused by heat itself rather than a genuine, if distant, thunderstorm.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceOrdinary lightning from a storm too far away for its thunder to be heard by the observer, so only the flash is perceived and not the sound 1 ScaleFlashes of lightning can sometimes be seen from as far away as about 100 miles (160 km) at night, though thunder itself does not carry nearly that far 2 Sources
1. NWS Glossary - Heat Lightning
Glossary entry: heat lightningQuote, Glossary entry: heat lightning
Lightning that occurs at a distance such that thunder is no longer audible.
2. Wikipedia - Heat Lightning
Overview sectionQuote, Overview section
At night, it is possible to see the flashes of lightning from very far distances, up to 100 miles (160 km), but the sound does not carry that far.
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