On these evenings, the air is often clear enough at the surface to see distant storms on the horizon. Because the sky directly above you is blue or starry, it feels like the lightning is coming from the heat of the night rather than a storm cell. Is It Dangerous?
Lightning can be seen from up to 100 miles away if the horizon is clear and the clouds are high. What Causes Lightning Without Thunder
If you see flashes, a storm is likely within 100 miles. On these evenings, the air is often clear
If a storm is 20 miles away, you will see the flashes clearly, but the sound waves will dissipate before they ever reach your ears. Atmospheric Refraction The air itself can actually "bend" sound away from you. On these evenings