June 20 2024 - Thunder and Lightning

 

We had a thunderstorm early this morning and the forecast is for more over the next few days.  Time to look at lightning and thunder... "If you count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder, and then divide by 5, you'll get the distance in miles to the lightning: 5 seconds = 1 mile, 15 seconds = 3 miles, 0 seconds = very close."  Here's the metre calculation:  "For metric-system conversions, follow this method: Sound travels at about 340 m/s, so multiply the number of seconds you counted by 340, and you'll know how many meters away lightning struck. A three-second count, then, would place the lightning strike about 1,020 m away, or roughly 1 km" And what is the golden rule of lightning?   "There is no place outside that is safe from lightning."  Here is the 30 minute rule: "Once inside, avoid contact with corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors. Finally, wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside. If everyone followed those simple rules, the number of lightning casualties in this country could be greatly reduced." Here's an abstract from a few years ago.

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