Lightning Myths Revealed
Wx and the City
Lightning strikes in the nation's capital last summer. By Capital Weather Gang photographer Kevin Ambrose.
By Ann Posegate, Guest Contributor
For 50,000 points, here is this week's Lightning Safety Week question: By which number must you divide after counting the seconds between the "flash" of lightning and the "bang" of thunder in order to calculate how many miles away a bolt of lightning is?
Keep reading for the answer, as well as some common lightning myths and safety tips. See our full forecast through the weekend, and NatCast if you're bound for tonight's game at Nationals Park.
With a good possibility of thunderstorms later in the week and weekend, I encourage you to visit the National Weather Service Lightning Safety Week Web site before I hand over the answer.
Why?
Because an average of 62 people are killed in the United States each year by lightning. Hundreds more are injured. From 1998 to 2007, there were seven lightning fatalities in Maryland, including a very unfortunate case (PDF) of a teenage girl getting struck while waiting for a bus in Prince Georges County last summer, and nine in Virginia. Although there have been no lightning fatalities in D.C. recently, that's too close for my comfort.
True, severe thunderstorms can be amazing and energizing to watch. But, it always "strikes" me as odd that people take risks by being outside when there is potential for lightning. Because I am a supporter of preventative health care, here are a few common lightning myths and safety tips revealed:
Myth: It won't happen to me. I only have a few blocks to walk...
Truth: Lightning victims in the U.S. have been struck while: boating, standing under a tree, riding a horse, swimming, riding on a lawnmower, playing soccer, golfing, talking on a phone, bike riding, loading a truck, mountain climbing and more.
Myth: There is no danger from lightning if it is not raining.
Truth: Lightning is a given during thunderstorms, and can strike up to 10 miles outside any rainfall. It frequently strikes more than three miles from the thunderstorm, where there may be no rain or storm clouds.
Myth: If my kids are playing in a baseball game and a thunderstorm rolls in, they should finish the game before seeking shelter.
Truth: Show this (PDF) to your coach before the game. Before the thunderstorm approaches, everyone should go into a sturdy building that has electricity and plumbing, or into their cars.
For more lightning myth-busters, read this (PDF). For severe weather safety tips, see Earth Gauge.
Oh, and in case you were wondering...the answer is five!
Ann Posegate is an Outreach Coordinator for the National Environmental Education Foundation
By Capital Weather Gang |
June 25, 2008; 10:45 AM ET
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Posted by: El Bombo | June 25, 2008 11:54 AM
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While living in Northern California in the late-90s there was a thunderstorm. This is very, very unusual. They almost never have lightening. I think the time before that was like 30 years previous. So of course, everyone goes onto the street. Just to be amazed. And to see something many of them had never seen before in person. I was a little nervous (being from the midwest), but went out to join them. No one was hurt thankfully. Now that I'm back east, I have the same nervousness about how unsubstantial bridges and overpasses look -- like "that's going to come down in an earthquake."
Posted by: Christopher | June 25, 2008 1:23 PM
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For years I've had the habit of whispering the count of seconds after a bolt. Now, when a bolt lights up the house, my 3 1/2 y.o. daughter screams, "Count, Daddy!"
Posted by: ac | June 25, 2008 1:44 PM
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In the old days we were told not to take a shower during a lightning storm due to conductivity if the house is struck. Is this accurate?
My family has taken showers during a storm and no worse for wear, but perhaps we are just lucky?
Posted by: M2 | June 25, 2008 1:55 PM
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I'm going to answer my own question...I just found this on the site you recommended:
Summary of Lightning Safety Tips for Inside the Home
Avoid contact with corded phones
Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
Posted by: M2 | June 25, 2008 2:02 PM
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How safe is it to stand on the King Street metro platform during a thunderstorm? I've always wondered as it's up high and you can therefore see a lot of the storm, and it occasionally makes me nervous.
Posted by: DM | June 25, 2008 3:21 PM
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The five-second rule only applies to the CLOSEST part of the flash to you. Remember.....a lightning bolt can be miles long, either horizontally or vertically.
Posted by: Mike | June 25, 2008 6:00 PM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
These rules apply to lightning in thundersnow as well.