Severe Weather Facts-Part 1

Today is part one of three in which I'll be sharing some facts and safety tips regarding severe weather. Today I'll highlight thunderstorms and lightning. Wednesday will be flash floods and Friday I'll cover tornadoes and severe weather radios.

Here are some facts regarding thunderstorms and lightning:

• 1800 thunderstorms are active at one time
• They produce lightning, flash flooding, damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes
• They are considered severe when winds of 58 mph or penny-sized hail is produced
• Lightning can occur in any t'storm
• In 2008 one lightning related death and three injuries were reported in Arkansas
• It strikes outside the area of heavy rain as far as ten miles
• Rubber-soled shoes do not protect from lightning strikes
• Despite popular belief, heat lightning is not caused by heat. Rather it is a far away thunderstorm that can be seen from far away

Here are some safety tips regarding thunderstorms and lightning:

• Know the difference between a watch and a warning. Watches mean conditions are favorable for development and warnings mean a storm is imminent.
• If you can hear thunder or see lightning, seek shelter. Use the 30-30 rule. If you can't count to 30 after seeing lightning, you are in danger of being struck
• Move to a sturdy shelter... not under a tree, or in a small shed, or in a convertible car
• If in the woods seek shelter under shorter trees
• Stay off the phone and computer
• Stay out of the bathtub or shower
• Get off of the golf course
• If you feel you skin tingle or hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet and put your hands on your knees. Make yourself as small as you can.

You can find this information and more by visiting the National Weather Service's website at www.weather.gov