The Underrated Killers
Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous. Ever thunderstorm produces lighting, which kills more people each year than tornadoes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can lead to flash flooding. Strong winds, hail, and tornadoes are also dangers associated with some thunderstorms.
Of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States, only about 10 percent are classified as severe. The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least 3/4-inch in diameter, wind 58 mph or higher.
Take the time NOW to understand these dangers and learn basic safety rules.
*Averages 93 deaths and 300 injuries each year.
*Causes several hundred million dollars in damage to property and forests annually.
*Most flash flood deaths occur at night and when people become trapped in automobiles.
*Winds can exceed 100 mph.
*During the summer in the western states, thunderstorms often produce little rain but very strong wind gusts and dust storms.
*Costliest United States hailstorm: Denver, Colorado, July 11, 1990. Total damage was $625 million.
*Winds can exceed 200 mph.
*Result in an average of 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries each year.
*Most fatalities occur when do not leave mobile homes and automobiles.
*Unstable Air, relatively warm air that can rise rapidly.
*Lift, fronts, sea breezes, and mountains are capable of lifting air to help from thunderstorms.
*Towering cumulus cloud indicates rising air.
*Usually little if any rain during this stage.
*Lasts about 10 minutes.
*Occasional lighting during during this stage.
Mature Stage
*Most likely time for hail, heavy rain, frequent lighting, strong winds, and tornadoes.
*Storm occasionally has a black or dark green appearance.
*Lasts an average of 10 to 20 minutes but may last much longer in some storms.
Dissipating Stage
*Rainfall decreases in intensity.
*Some thunderstorms produce a burst of strong winds during this stage.
*Lighting remains a danger during this stage.
Thunderstorms are most likely to happen in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours but can occur year-round and at all hours.
*Thunderstorms frequently occur in the late afternoon and at night in the Plains states.
*Thunder and lightning occasionally accompany snow or freezing rain. During the blizzard of March 1993, lightning resulted in power outage near Washington, D.C.
From Flooding: *People who are in automobiles when flash flooding occurs near them.
From Tornadoes: People who are in mobile homes and automobiles.
*A small area of rapidly descending air beneath a thunderstorm.
*Can cause damaging winds in excess of 100 mph.
*The strong winds usually approach from one direction and may known as "straight-line" winds.
*In extreme cases, straight-line winds can reach speeds equal to a strong tornado, causing significant damage to some buildings.
*Strong winds may or may not be accompanied by rain.
Large Hail
*The strong rising current of air within a storm, called "updrafts," carry water droplets to a height where freezing occurs.
*Ice particles grow in size, finally becoming too heavy to be supported by the updraft and fall to the ground.
*Large hailstones fall at speeds faster than 100 mph.
*The action of rising and descending air within a thunderstorm separates positive and negative charges. Water and ice particles also affect the distribution of electrcal charge.
*The average flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months.
*Most lightning occurs within the cloud or between the cloud and ground.
*Your chances of geing struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000 but could be reduced by following safety rules.
*Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when pwople are caught outdoors.
*Most lightning casualties occur in the summer months and during the afternoon and evening.
*The air near a lightning stike is heated to 50,000 *F-hotter than the surface of the sun. The rapid heating and cooling of air near the ligtning channel causes a shock wave that results in thunder.
*Many fires in the western United States and Alaska are started by lightning. In the past decade, over 15,000 lightning-induced fires nationwide have resulted in several hundred million dollars a year in damage and the loss of 2 million acres of forest.
*Swimming
*Golfing
*bike riding
*Standing under a tree
*Talking on the telephone
*Loading a truck
*Playing soccer
*Fising in a boat
*Mountain climbing
MYTH
If it is not raining, then there is no danger from lightning.
FACT
Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.
MYTH
The rubber soles of shoes or rubber tires on a car will protect you from being struck by lightning.
FACT
The rubber soles of shoes or rubber tires provide NO protection from lighting. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
MYTH
People struck by lightning carry an electrical charge and should not be touched.
FACT
Lightning-strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately. (Contact your local Red Cross chapter for information on CPR and first aid classes.)
MYTH
"Heat lightning" occurs after very hot summer days and poses no threat.
FACT
What is referred to as "Heat lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction.
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