solhunder

Solhunder is a term used mainly in folklore and fantasy worldbuilding to describe a rare atmospheric impression in which thunder-like sound is associated with bright sun or with a clear, cloudless sky. The word combines sol, the sun, with thunder, signaling a juxtaposition of light and sound. Its meaning is variable across traditions and writers, but it generally serves to evoke tension between solar brightness and storm-like energy.

Origins and usage: The concept appears in northern European folklore and has been adopted by contemporary fantasy authors as a motif representing weather spirits, omens, or disruptions to ordinary weather. In speculative worldbuilding, solhunder may be described as a localized atmospheric phenomenon arising from particular climatic or magical conditions. Despite its frequent appearance in fiction and lore, it is not a term with a standard scientific definition.

Possible explanations: In non-scientific narratives, solhunder is often attributed to mythic forces rather than physical processes. Some writers speculate about mechanisms such as unusual acoustic effects within atmospheric layers or meteo-magical interactions that produce sound without typical thunderclouds. There is no empirical evidence from meteorology to support a solar-origin thunder phenomenon.

Cultural references: The term is used in poetry, music, and role-playing games as a vivid image that pairs sunlight with sound and mystery. See also: sundog, crepuscular rays, thunder, atmospheric optics.