Updated:
January 23, 2008 16:02  

Lightning has been a fascination of mankind for centuries. This awe-inspiring force begins from mere friction and static electricity, as cloud particles collide with one another. However, lightning remains among the top weather-related killers across the United States, striking the ground about 25-million times each year and causing more injury and death than tornadoes.

The 2008 Florida Hazardous Weather Awareness Week is a perfect time to note that our state, out of all 50 states, is the lightning capital of the country. As lightning occurs frequently across the state, the area stretching across central Florida from Tampa to Titusville receives more lightning strikes than any other location in the state.

Why Florida? The answer lies in our geography. The Florida peninsula is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. As a result, daytime heating often generates a sea breeze boundary that moves inland from each of our coasts during the day. When these boundaries collide, thunderstorms are the result.

Lightning and thunder: a match made in heaven

Even though lightning seems to focus on Florida, on average, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms impacting the planet at any given moment!

A typical lightning bolt is only one inch wide; however, it can reach two to ten miles in distance. When lightning strikes, it will heat the air rapidly to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The air then expands, resulting in the explosive sound we know as thunder.

Can you have thunder without lightning? The simple answer is no. Always remember, it’s the lightning strike that generates the all-too-familiar sound of thunder, like a chain reaction. However, many people believe you can see lightning and never hear thunder. Can this be true? To answer this question, we first need to discuss how fast thunder travels in order to reach your ear.

Speed of sound and light

Thunder travels at the speed of sound, which is roughly one mile every five seconds. The next time you see lightning, count the number of seconds it takes for the thunder to reach you. If it takes 10 seconds, then the lightning strike is two miles away. If it takes less than one second, then you were almost struck by lightning and should seek shelter immediately!
Because lightning travels at the speed of light, which is roughly 930,000 miles every five seconds, it is very possible to see lightning off in the distance and never hear the sound of thunder it produces. The sound wave of thunder will weaken as it travels, especially as it comes into contact with obstacles, such as trees, buildings and terrain.

Beware: electricity at work

Statistically speaking, there is a one in 3,000 chance of being struck by lightning over the course of a lifetime. In other words, if you know 10 people, then someone in your group has a one in 300 chance of being struck. Any lightning strike can be deadly!

As the No. 1 thunderstorm threat in Florida, lightning results in an average of 10 fatalities and 40 injuries each year. Many of the survivors suffer severe, lifelong injuries and related disabilities. In terms of electricity, a single lightning bolt can contain as much as 30,000 amps and can generate 1-million volts or more! However, people struck by lightning carry no electrical charge. Therefore, emergency medical services can be performed safely to help resuscitate an individual struck by lightning.

In line with the statistics, unfortunately, 10 people in Florida died from lightning strikes in 2007. The deaths occurred in the following locations: Miramar, while the victim repaired a roof; Miami, while the victim did landscape work; Lynn Haven, while the victim did yard work; Jacksonville, while the victim was under a tree; Miami, while the victim walked door to door selling books; Deerfield Beach, while the victim scuba dived; Treasure Island, while the victim headed for shelter; Boca Raton, while the victim played soccer; Parkland, while the victim did yard work; and Fort Myers, while the victim fished.

Staying safe

When lightning is occurring, the most dangerous place to be is an open area, such as a sports field. Nearly half of all lightning deaths occur in open areas. Many people are struck when they go under a tree to keep dry during a storm. Outdoor water activities such as swimming, boating and fishing are very dangerous during lightning. Seek shelter in a substantial building such as a home, and do not be tempted to watch lightning from open windows or doors. A lightning strike to the ground or water can travel horizontally more than 30 feet in all directions. Therefore, when thunderstorms are approaching, avoid outdoor activities as if your life depends on it –because it does!

Covered picnic shelters, tents and convertibles (even with the roof up) offer absolutely no protection from lightning. An automobile with a metal roof does provide safe shelter. However, contrary to popular belief, the rubber tires do not provide this protection for you. If lightning strikes an automobile, the electricity flows around the metal shell of a hardtop vehicle and is redirected to the ground, so the occupants inside are protected.

The 30-30 rule

Your National Weather Service promotes the 30-30 Rule in seeking safe shelter. The 30-30 Rule states: When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, go immediately to a safer place. As the storm passes, wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last clap of thunder before leaving your shelter.

This rule works best when a thunderstorm is approaching an area. However important this rule may be, it will not protect against a strike from the first lightning you see! Therefore, be alert to changes in sky conditions. If a cloud begins to build high into the sky, a thunderstorm may be forming. It is best to seek shelter before you hear thunder in this case.

Unfortunately, many people go outside too quickly after they feel a storm has passed and are struck by lightning.

Lightning has been known to strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Many deaths from lightning occur ahead of the storm because people wait until the last minute before seeking shelter. A recommended course of action is to be aware of the weather forecast and the conditions around you by clicking on your area of interest from the National Weather Service Web site at www.weather.gov.

The National Weather Service, in partnership with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, wishes everyone a safe and healthy season.

Necessary Ingredients

All the elements that make Florida such a great place to live and play, such as the sun and the ocean, also play a role in the development of the thunderstorms that produce lightning. These ingredients come together most often during the summer months when lightning can be a daily occurrence in Florida . July is the deadliest month, because many young people are on vacation and enjoying our many parks and beaches, which end up being bad places to be during a lightning storm.

Lightning Packs a Punch

Most people who are struck by lightning are not killed, but they are left badly bruised and burned. The force of being hit by lightning can literally blow off people's shoes, shred their clothes and throw them violently through the air. It not only hits you hard, but at 50,000 degrees, it also burns right through you, leaving you with disfiguring scars and internal damage. Lightning survivors often have pain, loss of memory and other bad effects that sometimes last a lifetime.

Play it Safe

How many times each summer have you been playing baseball, soccer or some other outdoor activity, and have seen a lightning storm approaching? All the time, right? You probably figure that it's pretty far away and that you're not in any danger. Besides, it's not even raining. That type of thinking can get you killed!

A darkening cloud is often the first sign that lightning may strike. As soon as you see lightning or hear thunder, you are immediately at risk. By playing another inning or waiting even a few minutes to see if the storm is getting closer, you could be risking your life. Go immediately inside a house or other enclosed structure to stay safe. No place outdoors is safe! Covered vehicles are fairly safe locations, but remember to keep your hands and feet away from the side of the car and away from the dashboard, steering wheel and windows.

Even indoors, playing computer or TV video games, watching a DVD or drying your hair can be hazardous during a lightning storm. For more information about lightning safety, check out the National Weather Service Web site at:

www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov .

Lightning Safety Awareness Week

June 22 - 28, 2008

www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

Meteorology As a Career

Are you interested in meteorology as a career? Meteorologists serve the public in many ways, including as broadcasters, teachers, researchers, emergency preparedness workers, air quality specialists and weather forecasters.

There are several university programs that serve Florida residents who are interested in further study in meteorology.   Here are links on the Worldwide Web that will provide further information.

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach)


• Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne)


• Florida International University (Miami) (program under development)


• Florida State University (Tallahassee)


• University of Miami (Miami), Rosenstiel School


• University of South Alabama (Mobile)

Further information on careers in meteorology also may be obtained from the American Meteorological Society at http://www.ametsoc.org/AtmosCareers/ .

Contributed by Paul Ruscher, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Meteorology, Florida State University