Lightning
Lightning is a serious danger. Being out-of-doors is the most dangerous place to be when thunderstorms are in the area. It is important to monitor changing weather conditions, and understanding the risks associated with lightning. If you can hear thunder—even a distant rumble, you are already at risk. The National Weather Service motto, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors,” is good advice to follow.
An Under-Rated Weather Killer of People - Lightning generally claims one or two victims at a time, it is the second-most leading cause of storm-related deaths. Since lightning does not cause a wake of destruction like tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding, it generally receives far less attention than the more destructive weather-related killers.
Pay Attention to Changing Weather - Thunderstorms often begin to develop early in the day when favorable weather conditions allow columns of warm moist air to rise. When these columns of air reach an inversion layer in the atmosphere where the air is much cooler, cumulus clouds can begin to form. The resulting towering cumulus clouds may be the first visual clue of a developing thunderstorm.
Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles from the rain in a thunderstorm; that’s about the maximum distance that thunder can be heard. Which brings about the most important point—if you can hear thunder from a storm, chances are that you are within striking distance of that storm. Remember that each thunderstorm has a first stroke of lightning that is just as deadly as any other strike. If the sky looks threatening, it is wise to move to shelter well before hearing the noise of the thunder.
Minimize the Risk to Yourself and Others - The best way to protect yourself from lightning is to avoid the threat. The greatest number of documented lightning deaths and injuries occur during the warm weather months when the combination of lightning and outdoor activities reach peak levels. Those involved in outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, bicycling, golfing, jogging, walking, hiking, camping, or working out-of-doors all need to take the appropriate actions when thunderstorms approach. Have a lightning safety plan, and cancel or postpone activities early if thunderstorms are expected.
With large groups of people for activities such as organized sports, outdoor meetings, and celebrations, those individuals who are in charge of the event should have a plan to keep everyone safe from lightning. Careful monitoring of weather broadcasts, and keeping an eye on the changing weather conditions is crucial for stopping the activities soon enough to allow participants and spectators enough time to move to safe shelter. This should be done well before the lightning threat becomes significant.
What is Safe Shelter from a Lightning Strike?
A safe shelter from lightning is either a substantial building or an enclosed metal vehicle. A safe building is a structure that is fully enclosed with a roof, walls, and a floor, with plumbing or wiring. The plumbing and wiring in the building can generally provide the mechanism for conducting the electric current from a lightning strike contact point to the ground. Examples include a home, school, church, hotel, office building, or a shopping center. Once inside, stay away from metal frames on windows and doors. Avoid any activity that can contact you with the electrical shock of a sudden lightning strike to the building. This list includes using the shower, sink, bath tub, and electrical appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, corded telephones, and computers. Also be aware that metal reinforcing rods in concrete can conduct electricity also. Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.
Some examples of unsafe shelters are: car ports, open garages, covered patios, picnic shelters, beach pavilions, golf shelters, tents of any kind, baseball dugouts, and small wooden, vinyl, or metal sheds. Each of these structures offer little to no protection from lightning and should be avoided.
A safe vehicle is a fully enclosed metal-topped vehicle such as a hard-topped car, minivan, bus, or truck. While inside the vehicle do not touch metal or use electronic devices such as a hand-held microphone for radio communications during the thunderstorm. If you drive into a thunderstorm, slow down and use caution. Do not leave the vehicle until the threat of lightning is past.
Some examples of unsafe vehicles are: golf carts, convertibles, motorcycles, riding lawnmowers, tractors, or any open cab type vehicle.
Be Wary of the “Bolt from the Blue” - One of the most dangerous forms of cloud-to-ground of lightning is described by some as a “bolt from the blue”. This type of lightning bolt typically comes out of the backside of the thunderstorm. There have been multiple documented incidents of lightning sometimes travelling backwards to more than 25 miles in a clear sky out of the cloud. For this reason it is a good idea to wait at least 30 minutes or more after the rain ends to resume outdoor activities.
Lightning Victims In the unfortunate event that someone is struck by lightning, they may need immediate medical attention. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch. Have someone call 801 and monitor the victim until the emergency service arrives. A trained first-aid responder can also start CPR or use an automated external defibrillator if required.
Note: For additional information regarding lightning safety visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website at:
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm
An Under-Rated Weather Killer of People - Lightning generally claims one or two victims at a time, it is the second-most leading cause of storm-related deaths. Since lightning does not cause a wake of destruction like tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding, it generally receives far less attention than the more destructive weather-related killers.
Pay Attention to Changing Weather - Thunderstorms often begin to develop early in the day when favorable weather conditions allow columns of warm moist air to rise. When these columns of air reach an inversion layer in the atmosphere where the air is much cooler, cumulus clouds can begin to form. The resulting towering cumulus clouds may be the first visual clue of a developing thunderstorm.
Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles from the rain in a thunderstorm; that’s about the maximum distance that thunder can be heard. Which brings about the most important point—if you can hear thunder from a storm, chances are that you are within striking distance of that storm. Remember that each thunderstorm has a first stroke of lightning that is just as deadly as any other strike. If the sky looks threatening, it is wise to move to shelter well before hearing the noise of the thunder.
Minimize the Risk to Yourself and Others - The best way to protect yourself from lightning is to avoid the threat. The greatest number of documented lightning deaths and injuries occur during the warm weather months when the combination of lightning and outdoor activities reach peak levels. Those involved in outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, bicycling, golfing, jogging, walking, hiking, camping, or working out-of-doors all need to take the appropriate actions when thunderstorms approach. Have a lightning safety plan, and cancel or postpone activities early if thunderstorms are expected.
With large groups of people for activities such as organized sports, outdoor meetings, and celebrations, those individuals who are in charge of the event should have a plan to keep everyone safe from lightning. Careful monitoring of weather broadcasts, and keeping an eye on the changing weather conditions is crucial for stopping the activities soon enough to allow participants and spectators enough time to move to safe shelter. This should be done well before the lightning threat becomes significant.
What is Safe Shelter from a Lightning Strike?
A safe shelter from lightning is either a substantial building or an enclosed metal vehicle. A safe building is a structure that is fully enclosed with a roof, walls, and a floor, with plumbing or wiring. The plumbing and wiring in the building can generally provide the mechanism for conducting the electric current from a lightning strike contact point to the ground. Examples include a home, school, church, hotel, office building, or a shopping center. Once inside, stay away from metal frames on windows and doors. Avoid any activity that can contact you with the electrical shock of a sudden lightning strike to the building. This list includes using the shower, sink, bath tub, and electrical appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, corded telephones, and computers. Also be aware that metal reinforcing rods in concrete can conduct electricity also. Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.
Some examples of unsafe shelters are: car ports, open garages, covered patios, picnic shelters, beach pavilions, golf shelters, tents of any kind, baseball dugouts, and small wooden, vinyl, or metal sheds. Each of these structures offer little to no protection from lightning and should be avoided.
A safe vehicle is a fully enclosed metal-topped vehicle such as a hard-topped car, minivan, bus, or truck. While inside the vehicle do not touch metal or use electronic devices such as a hand-held microphone for radio communications during the thunderstorm. If you drive into a thunderstorm, slow down and use caution. Do not leave the vehicle until the threat of lightning is past.
Some examples of unsafe vehicles are: golf carts, convertibles, motorcycles, riding lawnmowers, tractors, or any open cab type vehicle.
Be Wary of the “Bolt from the Blue” - One of the most dangerous forms of cloud-to-ground of lightning is described by some as a “bolt from the blue”. This type of lightning bolt typically comes out of the backside of the thunderstorm. There have been multiple documented incidents of lightning sometimes travelling backwards to more than 25 miles in a clear sky out of the cloud. For this reason it is a good idea to wait at least 30 minutes or more after the rain ends to resume outdoor activities.
Lightning Victims In the unfortunate event that someone is struck by lightning, they may need immediate medical attention. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch. Have someone call 801 and monitor the victim until the emergency service arrives. A trained first-aid responder can also start CPR or use an automated external defibrillator if required.
Note: For additional information regarding lightning safety visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website at:
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm
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