National Lightning Safety Week: A Honeymoon Lightning Tragedy

By -
A 29 year-old man on his Florida honeymoon was killed Friday when struck by lightning. Usually, I wouldn't write about this but there is an important lesson in lightning safety: you don't have to be rained on for lightning to strike. In fact, the thunderstorm doesn't have to be nearby.
The gentleman was killed at the dot shown on the beach. It was 7 miles from the center of the storm and about 5 miles from any rain. 

I have seen one unpublished study that says more people are killed just before and after it rains rather than during rain. During rain, people usually go to shelter. When it isn't raining, they often stay out in the open, which is dangerous. 
Generally speaking, 15 miles from the storm is considered a safe distance. You can easily use that rule of thumb if you have a radar app. There are techniques that are more precise but they -- unfortunately -- are not widely used by weather science. 

The slogan, When thunder roars go indoors, is a good one. If you can see lightning or hear thunder, it is time to get indoors or into your car. Cars are safe in lightning. So, is taking a shower or using an indoor bathroom. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Overnight Tornado Forecast Posted at 7:05pm

By -
Image
Here is the tornado forecast for the rest of the night (till 6am CST). Red, hatched = high risk of strong tornadoes. Yellow, hatched = enhanced risk of strong tornadoes. Blown = significant risk of tornadoes.  This will be the last update of the night. Tornado Watch until 2am. Please make sure you have ways of getting warnings of tornadoes and 80 mph winds.  6:15pm  NWS believes the chances for tornadoes and damaging winds are increasing in Mississippi. They also say they are going to extend the tornado watch to the east later this evening.  5:35pm: The northwest part of the tornado watch has been cancelled Here is the area where tornadoes are more likely from 4:30 to 7:30pm. From Atmosphere Analytics Rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Tornado Watch till 9pm If you live in these areas it is vital  to monitor the weather until the watch expires at 9pm  Note the forecast is for "numerous strong tornadoes." A very rare "particularly dangerous situation" ...
Read more

645pm Update: Heads Up For Louisiana, Texas and Tamaulipas

By -
Image
Note: this forecast has been updated. Go here for the latest.  Update at 6:45pm. The National Hurricane Center now seems to agree with my forecast.  The red area is where they are forecasting an 80% chance of a tropical depression, or stronger storm, to develop sometime during the next seven days. I believe the best chance is in the Tuesday to Thursday period for tropical storm development.  Update at 6pm: The afternoon model runs, among the models I trust, continue to show a good chance (at least 50%) of a tropical storm forming in the western Gulf. I will update this forecast Sunday morning.  Update at 1pm: The new run of the models I trust are in and my confidence has only grown that there is a threat of a tropical storm developing in the western Gulf of Mexico to the west of the orange line. The rest of this forecast (below) is still valid.  People in the USA and northeast Mexico (west of the orange line) should keep an eye on the weather this week. While t...
Read more

Tornado Forecast Update at 2am Wednesday

By -
Image
2am While the risk of tornadoes may continue during the night, this will have to end my coverage.  Note the risk of tornadoes farther east later today.  1:35am Wednesday: Tornado watch will likely be issued for the outlined area, including the Kansas City Metro. Make sure you have a way to receive tornado warnings the rest of the night.  11:55p Tuesday: New tornado watch has just been issued for most south central (including Wichita), southeast and east central Kansas.  This watch is in effect until 7am Wednesday. This is the overnight tornado threat we've been talking about.  I am now providing additional updates on Twitter/X   @usweatherexpert .  --- original posting (still valid) --- Now until 7a Wednesday The tornado risk has decreased in Oklahoma south of I-40. 7am to Noon Wednesday For Wednesday morning, there is a significant chance of tornadoes in western and, especially, northern Missouri. It is unusual to have tornadoes during the morning....
Read more