Divide the number of seconds by five to find the distance (in miles) to the lightning. Count the seconds between a lightning flash and the thunder. If you are swimming or boating, get out of the water.īecause light travels faster than sound, you'll see a flash of lightning before hearing the thunder, when the storm is at a distance. If you cannot get to shelter, stand in a low spot under a group of trees (not under a lone tree) or crouch down on the balls of your feet-do not lie flat on the ground. It is not safe to be riding bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, or golf carts. Don't hold golf clubs, fishing poles, or umbrellas. Outdoor lightning safety: If you can't go indoors or into a car, stay away from tall objects (like a single tree in a field) and metal (like fences and flagpoles). Turn off TVs, computers, air conditioners, and other items that plug into an outlet. To stay safe, keep away from windows, electrical equipment, and metal objects. Keep yourself safe indoors: When lightning strikes, its electricity can travel through your house. Thirty minutes after you hear the last thunder, it's safe to head outdoors again. It's safest indoors during a thunderstorm. Head indoors if the time between a lightning flash and thunder is 30 seconds or less. Divide the number of seconds by five to find the distance (in miles) to the lightning strike.
You can find out how far you are from a storm by counting the seconds between a lightning flash and the thunder. If you do manage to hear thunder at the same time you see a lightning. Measure the time between thunder and lightning: Because light travels faster than sound, you'll see a flash of lightning before hearing the thunder when a storm is a distance away. Every five seconds is approximately a one mile distance between you and the lighting bolt. When you're outside, watch the sky during the day to see if clouds are building. Before you head outdoors, check the weather forecast to find out if a thunderstorm is likely. Follow the steps below to make sure you stay safe when a thunderstorm is near.Ĭheck the forecast and watch the weather: Be aware of the weather. A dark funnel of cloud extends below a storm. Learn how lightning forms, and how lightning leads to thunder.
Sometimes low-lying places in cities and towns flood too. Lightning is the most spectacular element of a thunderstorm. The rain can cause rivers and streams to flood. Severe thunderstorms can cause dangerous winds, hail, and lightning.
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