Thunderstorms can develop directly overhead and some storms may develop lightning just as they move into an area. If you hear thunder, though, it’s a safe bet that the storm is within ten miles. Traffic, wind, and precipitation may limit the ability to hear thunder to less than 10 miles. If you hear thunder. Thunder can usually be heard for a distance of about 10 miles provided that there is no background noise.In clear air, and especially at night, lightning can be seen from storms more than 10 miles away provided that obstructions don’t limit the view of the thunderstorm. If you see lightning. The ability to see lightning varies depending on the time of day, weather conditions, and obstructions such as trees, mountains, etc.Here are some criteria that could be used to stop activities. It’s important to account for the time it will take for everyone to get to safety. In general, a significant lightning threat extends outward from the base of a thunderstorm cloud about 6 to 10 miles. Below are some of the considerations in making a lightning safety plan. In addition, NOAA has developed lightning safety toolkits for organizations and venues to use in making a plan. Below is some information to consider when making a lightning safety plan. Officials should monitor weather conditions, weather radar, and lightning detection technology for developing or approaching storms. Once people start to arrive at an event, the guidelines in the lightning safety plan should be followed. In some cases, the event can be moved indoors. If thunderstorms are forecast, organizers should consider canceling or postponing the activity or event. There are many good sources of up-to-date weather information including NOAA Weather Radio. What should be done if someone is struck by lightning?īefore an activity or event, organizers should listen to the latest forecast to determine the likelihood of thunderstorms.Who should monitor the weather and make the decision to stop activities?.These guidelines should address the following questions. The plan should give clear and specific safety guidelines to eliminate errors in judgment. Unfortunately, decisions based on past experience or a desire to complete the activity can put the lives of those involved at risk.įor organized outdoor activities, the National Weather Service recommends that organizers have a lightning safety plan and follow it without exception.
Without this knowledge, officials may base their decisions on personal experience and or a desire to complete the activity. Officials responsible for sports outdoor activities need to understand thunderstorms and lightning to make educated decisions on when to seek safety. About two thirds of the deaths are associated with outdoor recreational activities. Some of those flashes strike directly under the storm where it is raining, but some of the flashes reach out away from the storm where people perceive the lightning threat to be low or nonexistent, and catch people by surprise.īased on cases documented by the National Weather Service in recent years, about 30 people are killed by lightning each year and hundreds more are injured, some suffering devastating neurological injuries that persist for the rest of their lives. Each year, thunderstorms produce an estimated 20 to 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes in the United States - each one of those flashes is a potential killer. Are conditions outside safe, or is it time to head for safe place? Not wanting to appear overly cautious, many people wait far too long before reacting to this potentially deadly weather threat.Īnyone who is outside in the summer needs to understand some basic information about lightning. It’s a common situation - a thunderstorm is approaching or nearby.
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