Lightning
June 10th, 2009 at 1:13 pm by Bill Steffen under Bill's Blog, Weather
<–map of total lightning strikes over the entire world. Here’s a blow-up of tropical lightning. Note that there is less lightning over the oceans than over the land. Check out this picture (about 150 feet away!) and this picture (note the cruise ship) of lightning hitting the water by a beach in Vlissingen, Netherlands. In a typical year, lightning kills and injures more people in the U.S. than tornadoes and hurricanes combined. These tend to be singular events that don’t get air-time on the news, but last week five people were killed by lightning in the U.S., including two in California. A survey of 329 people hit by lightning in the U.S. last year found that 74 of them were standing under trees, 16 were on a beach, 12 were swimming in the water and another 10 were camping in tents. Of 27 people killed by lightning, 22 of them were male. There is often an 8 to 1 male- to-female ratio in lightning fatalities. Men are more apt to continue outdoor activities and women are more likely to seek safe shelter. As expected, the days with the most lightning fatalities were Saturday/Sunday with Monday having the fewest lightning deaths and injuries. Here’s some lightning links.
we need more severe storm here bill, please get right on that, LOL!
I don’t understand why people (men in general, sorry), can’t grasp how dangerous lightning is. My husband rolls his eyes at me when I lecture him about going golfing when I know it will t-storm, I tell him if he sees dark clouds or especially hears thunder, get to the car/club house and wait it out. Better yet, get home! I have serious Brontophobia (phobia of thunderstorms)and he knows I am glued to the radar at all times, yet men don’t believe it’s that lightning is a big deal. It’s one of those easily preventable deaths, go inside, don’t be dumb. While I am ranting, why do all these people WANT severe weather? What if their house/family was in the path of a tornado, or a tree fell on thier car? Isn’t there enough bad things in today’s world without having wishing more uncontrollable bad things to happen? Dumb dumb.
A thousand blessings on Bill for providing the male to female ratio for lightning victims! I have 5 sons. I can’t wait to pull this one out at the opportune time.
The pictures are awesome!!
My boy friend said he was sitting outside on his deck (on metal chair) watching the lightning the other night when the storm went through Saugatuck!! DAH!!! I will also tell him about this!
I’ve seen spring and summers like this without a lot of severe weather. I too love the storms but know after 62 years, thats Michigan weather for you. Not a very good place for storm chasers, I’m afraid!
Sorry people, as much as I love storms, I’m glad I’m not in the southern states where they get hit so hard with storms!
Hey speaking of lightning, i saw my first lightning bug of the season tonight!