Heard the inauguration fireworks far from D.C.? Blame a temperature inversion. [View all]

They were reportedly heard as far as 15 miles away.

Katy Perry’s Inauguration Day rendition of “Firework” was lit, quite literally — featuring the detonation of fireworks in rapid succession as a fitting close to the historic evening. The show was lauded as one of the most spectacular firework displays many had ever witnessed, as well as the loudest. In some cases, the blasts were heard up to 15 miles away.

The reason? An inversion, or an increase in temperature with height. That “caps” the atmosphere, preventing cooler surface air from rising. It also helps turn the lower atmosphere into an echo chamber, allowing sound waves to propagate across long distances.

A firework-induced rumbling was heard as far away as Silver Spring, Huntington, Bethesda and Hyattsville.'

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/01/21/inauguration-fireworks-loud-inversion/?

Didn't hear anything here in southern MD 60 miles away.