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Weather

Lightning safety

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Published 7:29 PM

The second day of severe weather preparedness week focuses on lightning safety. Although these power bolts can make for some beautiful sights, it can also lead to deadly ones.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that 81 people have died from lightning from 2019-2023. A greater portion of this totals belongs to men.

Lightning tends to take the path of least resistance. This bolt of energy occurs as clouds try to create an equilibrium and discharge either their negative or positive charges. This means that great conductors like bodies of water, and metal structures are more likely to be struck. Along with avoiding areas nearby water and metal, you should make sure you aren't in open areas as lighting tends to strike higher objects.

A strike of lightning can reach up to 50,000 degrees meaning it is way hotter than the surface of the sun. This makes it extremely dangerous and effective at starting dangerous fires.

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Chance Gotsch

Chance Gotsch grew up just south of St. Louis and moved to Columbia to attend the University of Missouri to pursue a degree in Atmospheric Sciences.

His interest in weather begin as a child when he used to be afraid of storms.

Chance joined the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team in February 2021. He is currently the weekday noon meteorologist.

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