Severe weather preparedness week: Lightning safety
It's day two of Missouri's Severe Weather Preparedness Week across the state and the topic of the day is lightning safety. According to the National Weather Service, there are about 16 million storms a year across the entire globe and an estimated 25 million cloud to ground lightning strikes.
Lightning is typically looking to use some type of conductor to more easily allow it's electrical current to pass through. this makes water and metals a danger to be around or in. Pools, lakes, and other waterways should be avoided during storms. Metal objects such as fences or poles such as light poles should also be avioded during incoming storms.
Taller objects are also more at risk of lightning strikes. To help avoid the risk of being struck you should avoid standing in open fields as you might be considered the tallest object increasing your risk of a strike.
Staying in lower elevations in a region will also help decrease your risk of being struck. Trees should also be avoided as there have been observed instances of people standing underneath and getting hit through a tree passing the charge into its roots.
If you have ever stood outside during a hot and sunny summer day, you might have noticed how unbearable the heat can be. Imagine that, but imagine 5 times more heat than the surface of the sun. Thats how hot a strike of lightning can be measuring up to 50,000 degrees F.
Storms remain possible through Tuesday night, but eventually will look to push east late as most people are asleep. Don't be surprised tomorrow if you hear tornado sirens at 11 AM. This is a statewide tornado drill. It is important to talk to your family and friends about what you should do if a warning is issued while you are at home, work, or school.
