My piece on Lightning safety brought a neat comment from Emma who was struck by lightning as a child and lived to tell. She points out that she can’t wear a watch. Here is the rest of the story….

Would you believe I was struck by lightning when I was a kid?

I was a lucky one…I can’t wear a watch though…stops after a couple weeks.

My cousins and myself was out on the veranda when a rainstorm came up. We were pulling back the large cushioned lawn chairs so they would not get wet from the wind driven rain. I happened to look up and saw a lighting bolt hit a huge 100+-year-old maple tree. Next thing I knew, we were all lifted and thrown about 10 ft. from where we were standing. I landed on some stairs ..ouch! Others were thrown into the wall…etc… I recall feeling a strong jolt more than an electric fence would give off. None of us had any damaging effects….thank goodness. The electricity evidently came through us and made a left hand turn into the kitchen door where my aunt stood and watched it come in the opened door and through the kitchen right out the opened back kitchen door. …..we all shook for a while. I remember our hair standing up straight, we all giggled about that for a while. When we get together about ever 10 years we still talk about it, like it just happened.

The relation of the watch is since that day….I have not been able to keep time on any watch. It will just stop….I have been told the lighting strike may have something to do with it….. ??

Thanks, Emma.

Have others been struck by lightning? If so, love to hear your experience.

I mentioned that Central Florida has the greatest frequency of thunderstorms. You can expect t-storms there at least 90 days of the year, most of it occurring during June, July, and August. That is literally every day! In contrast, along the US West Coast, thunderstorms occur less than 5 days a year on average. And, in British Columbia, there are some years without a single thunderstorm.

Technorati Tags Lightning, Farmers’ Almanac, Hurricanes, struck by lightning

by pgeiger
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Thanks to John Jensenius of the National Weather Service, here are tips concerning Thunder and Lightning awareness.

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS - THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING…

Summertime is a good time for outdoor recreational activities. It is also the time of the year when thunderstorms are most likely. Thunderstorms can be beautiful, but they also can be deadly. Central Florida is the T & L center of the US with more storms than any other region of the country.

While many people think they are aware of the dangers of thunderstorms and lightning, the vast majority are not.

There are three basic ingredients needed for the formation of a thunderstorm. They include low-level moisture, an unstable atmosphere, and a trigger (a source of lift).

Low-level Moisture: This moisture is needed for cloud formation, growth, and the development of precipitation within the cloud.

Unstable Atmosphere: An unstable atmosphere allows warm, moist air near the ground to rise rapidly to higher levels in the atmosphere where temperatures are below freezing. An unstable atmosphere also allows air at higher levels in the atmosphere to sink to the ground level rapidly, bringing stronger winds from the higher levels to the ground.

A Trigger: Something to set the atmosphere in motion.

All three ingredients contribute to the formation of a thunderstorm.

In fact, as the magnitudes of these ingredients increase, so do the chances that a thunderstorms could become severe.

In the summertime, listen to the latest forecast and learn to recognize the signs that often precede thunderstorm development. Warm muggy air is a sign that ample low-level moisture is available for thunderstorm development. Towering cumulus clouds indicate an atmosphere that is, or is becoming, unstable. And, the trigger could be continued heating from the sun; an approaching front or sea breeze front; or a cooling of the upper atmosphere.

All thunderstorms go through various stages of growth and development. As a thunderstorm cloud continues to grow, snow and ice begin to form in the higher levels of the cloud where temperatures are below freezing, and electrical charges start to build up within the cloud. Negative electrical charges near the middle and base of the cloud cause a positive charge to build up on the ground under and near the thunderstorm. Finally, when the difference between these charges becomes to great, a giant atmospheric spark we call lightning occurs.

Lightning is an underrated killer, usually claiming its victims one at a time. Lightning also leaves many victims with serious life-long injuries. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the side of the thunderstorm cloud. In fact, many lightning victims are struck either before the rain arrives or after the rain has ended. Most victims also report that at least a portion of the sky was blue when they were struck.

Although Maine and New Hampshire have less lightning than most states east of the Rocky Mountains, Maine ranks 8th highest in the country in terms of lightning casualties (per capita) and New Hampshire ranks 16th highest.

This summer, the National Weather Service will conduct a nationwide awareness campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from lightning. Although more information on lightning and lightning safety will be provided during Lightning Safety Awareness Week, which will be during the week of June 25-29, here are some basic tips to help keep you and your family safe this summer.

WHILE INSIDE A HOME OR BUILDING

1. Avoid any contact with corded phones.

2. Avoid any contact with electrical or electronic equipment or cords that are plugged into the electrical system.

3. Avoid any contact with the plumbing system. Do not wash your hands, do not wash the dishes, do not take a shower, and do not do laundry.

4. Do not stand next to a concrete wall or lie on a concrete floor.

5. Stay away from windows, outside doorways, and porches.

TIPS WHILE OUTDOORS

1. Plan outside activities so that you minimize the risk of being caught outside in a thunderstorm.

2. If you hear thunder, move inside a safe shelter immediately. Generally, if you can hear the thunder, you’re within striking distance of the storm.

3. If the sky looks threatening, move inside immediately. Don’t wait for the first stroke of lightning. It could occur anywhere under or near the storm.

4. Stay inside a safe shelter for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder is heard. Many lightning victims are struck after the worst part of the storm has passed.

5. If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm and can’t reach a safe shelter, you can only minimize the your risk of being struck by lightning. If lightning strikes near you, it will most likely strike the tallest object in your immediate vicinity. First, don’t be the tallest object in the immediate vicinity, and don’t be near the tallest object. Second, get as low as possible to the ground, but minimize your contact with the ground. Do not lie on the ground.

Remember, when it comes to thunderstorm safety, your own actions determine your personal risk of being killed or seriously injured.

Technorati Tags Thunderstorms, Lightning

by pgeiger
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John Jensenius is a good friend working at the National Weather Service in Gray Maine. The NWS not only helps forecast weather, they have a wealth of information about severe weather and survival tips when caught in a storm. Much of the East Coast suffered through tremendous rains and floods. Here is information that should be helpful if you encounter a flood.

To alert the public to the threat of flooding, the National Weather Service issues flood and flash flood watches and warnings. A flood watch indicates flooding/flash flooding is possible, and is usually issued in anticipation of heavy rainfall. A flood/flash flood warning indicates that flooding is imminent or is already occurring. If you hear that a flood/flash flood warning has been issued for your area, move immediately to higher ground if floodwaters threaten.

Here are some flood/flash flood facts and safety tips.

• Never drive a car into a flooded roadway. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle related.

• Keep away from streams during heavy rainfall events. Swiftly moving water is extremely powerful and can easily overpower a person.

• Keep children inside and away from flooded streets, culverts, and streams.

• Report any flooding to the appropriate authorities.

• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

• Obey all roadblocks and barriers, even if the flooding has receded. Floodwaters may have undercut the road surface or left dangerous debris in the roadway.

• If you live in a flood prone area, have a plan in case the water starts rising quickly.

Technorati Tags Floods

by pgeiger
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I am the “Complaint Department” for all of weather. I love it. Had a call last week form a gentleman in Helena, Montana. He was not crazy about the cold and wanted me to know it. Had half a dozen e-mails concerning the frost and plants in the Carolinas, Miss. and elsewhere. One of my associates traveled to Texas to watch his precious Red Sox play and it snowed at the game. Here is a weather comment from Missouri:

I was reading your comment on the Farmer’s Almanac and thought I would let you know here in the Hannibal, MO area, it is too cold! Winter is not my best of season’s, I need lots of light and we have had many cloudy, gloomy days throughout Feb. and March and now into April, it is still cold, lows in the teens and the days in 30’s. It just isn’t real good for people that like to watch their grandchildren play high school baseball, a husband that loves gardening and the both of us look forward to riding our motorcycle without all the leather to keep warm. When will we see an improvement for good outdoor activities? Thanks for letting me vent, I hate cold!

I feel your pain. I live in Maine; We had 17 inches of snow last Wednesday, and there is talk of more this Thursday. Ugh! It looked more like Christmas than Easter, and no one is going outside. Little girls were going to Church with white dresses and L.L. Bean boots. How bizarre! This cold is not what we predicted, and may have something to do with the El Niño we read about last fall. Years with El Niños have a late start to the winter and a late finish.

Do you hate the weather? Bring it on; I am here for you!

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Technorati Tags Complaints

by pgeiger
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I hope you had an enjoyable Easter Weekend. This has to go down as one of the coldest Easters I can remember. I’m still digging out from 17 inches of snow! It was cute to see little girls going to church in white dresses and L.L. Bean boots, though. Whether you live in Dallas, Texas, Birmingham, Ala., or are playing golf at the Masters in Augusta, Ga., it was a cool weekend to remember. In Augusta, Maine, Sunday’s high was 55 degrees, with a low of 24. Yikes!

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Technorati Tags Weather

by pgeiger
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I have a love/hate relationship with the Month of April. Most years, the snow has melted and there is a wonderful smell in the air. You wake to robins chirping, the sun is higher in the sky, and the days warmer. Then, there are years when winter won’t end. For those in the East, there was concern that it might never snow and now everyone is wonder if it will ever end? Earlier this winter, I made the observation that when we have an El Nino, it starts late and ends later. Last time we had that situation, we had snow into May.

A few days ago the Mid-Atlantic states were enjoying temps in the 70s. Yesterday, I received an e-mail form a lady in North Carolina asking what to do with her outdoor plants this weekend. They were in the ground and some starting to bud. Sure enough, her town will see lows this weekend at 25 degrees! My advice, if you are in the same situation, is to place some wooden stakes around the planted flowers and place a blanket or sheet over them at night. Remove it in the morning, so the sun warms them. This should prevent any frost burn.

In Maine, we can take almost anything. We have not had any “warm” weather yet, but yesterday it just snowed and last night we got it “good.” Fourteen inches fell with most of it dropping between 3a.m. and 7a.m. Heavy, wet, and a slow commute today. In fact, it is still coming down. Not exactly the Easter Weekend we dreamed of, but we’ll trudge through it and maybe next week will be better.

Love to hear about your weather. If it is warm, tell me. If it is cold, wet, snowy, share the misery. Hey, it’s weather, and we love to talk about it.

Technorati Tags Weather, April

by pgeiger
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